This is a unique opportunity to join a relatively new but growing function within a large UK owned business, to shape the Food and Beverage proposal and drive some of their many exciting projects. The role will report into the Head of Food Purchasing and be responsible for the management of specific product categories.  A vibrant, energetic and outgoing head office environment with excellent potential for growth and development.

Supplying many sites across the length and breadth of the UK, the Commercial Food and Beverage Team plays a crucial part in the offering to customers and ensuring the quality of food and drink available.  We are looking for candidates with previous buying/category management experience from within the world of food and beverages.

You will be based in Hemel Hempstead but actively encouraged to visit both suppliers and sites.

Overview of the role:

• Drive and manage your own range of products, drawing up your own strategy plan and prioritising projects that deliver the maximum commercial benefits to the brands. We focus strongly on quality, value for money and driving margin rather than just looking at cost cutting
• Tender product ranges as appropriate; ensuring that all parts of the product and supplier selection is transparent, auditable and defensible. Thorough supplier vetting is important to us and factory visits are very much encouraged, it's so much more fun being out and about!
• Manage the day to day relationships with the suppliers in your category and work with them to continually improve performance in terms of price, quality and innovation. Ensure supply agreements are in place and manage any rebate agreements accordingly.
• Keep abreast of market trends and product innovation, ready to respond to any sourcing requirements or put commercial proposal forward to the team
• Monitor and report on the relevant commodity markets within your product categories and put recommendations forward to protect the business ahead of any changes in the market place.
• Work closely with our 3 Catering Development Managers on all product related matters such as product assessment, quality review, proposed product changes, any sourcing requirements or even price changes.
• Manage menu changes with our nominated distributor ensuring new lines are set up in a timely fashion, product specification are in place, allergens details collated and stock managed both in and out.
• Work closely with our distributor to ensure good inbound deliveries and be ready to lend a hand when required on day to day matters. It's all about giving parks and hotels the best support we can.
• Provenance, local sourcing and sustainability are all very important to us and so you will be required to find, vet, set up on our web ordering platform and manage suppliers that will truly add to our offering.

Candidate requirements:

• The ideal candidate will have a real passion for food
• Previous experience in a procurement/buying/category management role within food and beverage sector.
• Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail and experience of negotiating with suppliers

Keywords:  food and beverage, food and drink,  buying, buyer, category manager, category management, purchasing, procurement, supplier negotiation. 

If you are interested in this role and would like to hear more, please apply now and we will be in touch with short listed candidates ASAP.

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