Your new company

An established and highly regarded organisation within the food distribution sector is recruiting an experienced Senior Buyer to join its Swansea-based purchasing team. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a broad purchasing function and contribute directly to commercial performance, supplier strategy and operational improvement.

Your new role

As Senior Buyer, you will ensure the business continues to offer high-quality products while achieving the best possible value for its customers. Working closely with sales, marketing, inventory control and the wider trading team, you will use market insight, effective negotiation and supplier management to deliver measurable improvements across cost, quality and service. You will manage the day-to-day purchasing function, support the development of the buying team and ensure departmental KPIs and performance standards are consistently achieved.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Negotiating commercial terms with existing and prospective suppliers.
• Managing and evaluating current and future cost prices to maintain competitiveness.
• Identifying and delivering cost-saving opportunities across the purchasing and supply chain process.
• Monitoring commodity price movements and presenting recommendations to the business.
• Managing supplier rebates, claim-backs and associated discounts.
• Identifying and delivering product tender opportunities.
• Gathering product, supplier and market intelligence.
• Developing effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Supporting the development, motivation and training of the purchasing team.
• Ensuring purchasing KPIs, departmental objectives and performance standards are achieved.
• Producing monthly purchasing reports and presenting findings at relevant meetings.
• Advising sales teams on new and forthcoming products.
• Coordinating customer-facing product and promotional information.
• Ensuring product specifications and approved supplier documentation are available before new products are listed.
• Ensuring all purchasing activity complies with food safety, quality and company requirements.
• Continuously improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the purchasing department.
• Representing the organisation at exhibitions, trade shows and industry events where required.

What you'll need to succeed

You will be an experienced purchasing or procurement professional with a strong commercial mindset and a proven ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers. You will be confident analysing cost information, market trends and commodity pricing to support well-informed commercial decisions.
You will also demonstrate:

• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing purchasing performance, budgets and KPIs.
• A track record of delivering cost savings and commercial improvements.
• Strong analytical, reporting and presentation capabilities.
• The ability to lead, motivate and develop team members.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A collaborative approach when working with sales, marketing, inventory and operational teams.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding supplier documentation, product specifications and compliance.
• Experience within food distribution, wholesale, FMCG or a similarly fast-paced product environment would be advantageous.

What you'll get in return

A salary of £35000
You will join an established organisation in a commercially influential position, with the opportunity to shape purchasing performance, strengthen supplier relationships and deliver tangible improvements across cost, quality and service.You will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, dependent on your experience.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this opportunity, click Apply now to submit an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact Hays for a confidential discussion about your career.If this role isn't quite right for you, but you are considering a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. career.

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