Procurement - NPD Buyer

This is what you'll actually do!

As an NPD Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing ingredients, raw materials and packaging solutions that support the development and launch of new products. You will work closely with NPD teams to understand product requirements, identify suitable suppliers, obtain samples and quotations, and ensure all materials meet quality, technical and regulatory requirements.

You will play a key role throughout the NPD process, providing procurement expertise, preparing accurate costings, assessing feasibility, and identifying any potential supply risks. Working collaboratively with Technical, Operations and Supply Chain colleagues, you will help ensure new products can be successfully scaled up and launched in line with project timelines and customer expectations.

Using your strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills, you will develop and maintain effective supplier relationships, benchmark costs, analyse pricing structures and identify opportunities for cost optimisation. You will support supplier negotiations around pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities and contractual arrangements, helping to deliver value while maintaining service and quality standards.

The role also involves maintaining accurate product and supplier data, monitoring project progress and ensuring procurement activities remain aligned with launch schedules. You will support sustainability, compliance and ethical sourcing initiatives while keeping up to date with market trends, ingredient availability and potential supply chain risks.

As part of the wider Procurement team, you will contribute to continuous improvement activities across the business. This includes supporting cost-saving initiatives, evaluating alternative materials and suppliers, and helping to develop sourcing strategies that support innovation, efficiency and long-term business success. Through strong cross-functional relationships and effective communication, you will act as a key link between innovation and commercial delivery.

Ideally this is you!

Essential

• Previous experience in procurement, supply chain, or food manufacturing (buyer, assistant buyer, purchasing officer, etc.).
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• Excellent organisational and project coordination abilities.
• Ability to interpret technical information and specs.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Results-focused with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience within food manufacturing, ingredients procurement or FMCG industries.
• Knowledge of New Product Development processes and stage-gate methodology.
• Experience using ERP or MRP systems.
• Understanding of packaging materials, ingredients and food production environments.
• Experience supporting supplier onboarding and approval processes.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, curious and solutions-focused.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy.
• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Commercially minded with a desire to deliver value and cost efficiencies.
• A collaborative team player who builds positive working relationships.
• Confident communicator who can influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Analytical, with the ability to use data and insights to support decision-making.
• Takes ownership and follows through on commitments.
• Open to learning, development and continuous improvement.
• Supports an inclusive and positive working environment.
• Demonstrates our values of Teamwork, Ownership, Communication, Honesty and Respect and takes pride in delivering high-quality work.