Frozen Food/Category Buyer
Location: UK, based in Heywood site
Introduction
Lineage is the world’s largest and most innovative provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions with more than 22,000 employees across over 400 locations and spanning 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. Working at Lineage is an opportunity to innovate and put your mark on how food moves from the farm to dinner tables around the world.
Part of Lineage are Yearsley Food Group – who work directly with Frozen Food Customers to keep Wholesalers, Restaurants, Takeaways, Retailers, Schools, Hospitals, Prisons, Pub Chains etc. stocked and supplied with a wide variety of Frozen Food.
The role
We are looking for a Category Buyer to join our growing Yearsley Food Sales team at Lineage with an ideal location at our Heywood office, there will also be the requirement to travel to other locations in the UK. You will be reporting directly to the Purchasing Manager and work as part of the Yearsley Food Sales Team. This is a role that would suit someone that understands the buying process and is eager to learn more. Full support and training will be given. We have a sociable work environment with good opportunities to learn and therefore progress internally.
Salary Negotiable, depending on experience, plus company benefits.
We are looking for approx. 2-5 years’ experience in buying, frozen food preferred.
Office based Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:30 with 1 hour for lunch
Responsibilities:
Manage supplier relationships and develop an effective business partnership with each supplier. Negotiate terms and prices, monitor their performance in your category and maintain good practice at all times.
Agree key aims and objectives with the Procurement Manager for each supplier targeting products, pricing, promotions and bonuses, growth incentives and marketing support for their brands to be featured on our company platforms.
Collaborate work with procurement colleagues and other departments – stock control, marketing, sales, finance, and operations as required.
Participate in product review meetings presenting market and product data with an analytical approach to market development and new product trends. Work closely with the Procurement Assistant and Administrator to support, improve and evolve our category management approach to the procurement department.
Offer suggestions to improve the overall efficiency of the department and its key functions.
Monitor and analyze competitor/ market activity.
Source new suppliers and develop strong relationships to secure best products and pricing.
Manage and plan promotional product focus weeks with suppliers in conjunction with the agreed promotional calendar.
This is a description of your duties and responsibilities at the present time, however this is not an exhaustive list and other duties may be required in line with the current and future needs of the business.
Who we’re looking for:
The ideal candidate understands the buying process and would like to learn more and develop their skills into a career in procurement within Food Sales. Someone that finds new technology easy to work with and have experience in the full Microsoft Office package. You will be data-driven and use business analytics to understand and continuously optimize sourcing activities.
We are looking for a service minded Category Buyer that enjoys working on changing priorities and can work on multiple accounts building great relationships. Working as part of a global company you will work with a broad range of suppliers, working in conjunction with the sales team to achieve the best results.
Essential requirements:
Previous working experience as a Category Manager and/or buyer for two years or more
Good understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and data analysis
Ideally have knowledge of the Foodservice Industry and product ranges
Strong negotiating skills and the ability to multitask
Excellent communication skills
Team player
Interest in food/food trends
Full UK Driving License
What's in it for me?
Annual salary depending on previous experience. We’ll discuss your expectations upon screening.
28 days holiday (including bank holidays), the opportunity to earn additional holidays each year up to an extra week after 5 years. Plus 8 hours volunteer time per year that you can use during working hours.
Free onsite car park
Social environment with a team who like to support each other to achieve goals, with recognition schemes and shared spaces to enjoy lunch and rest breaks together
Support your emotional well-being with access to a 24/7 employee assistance phone line offering confidential free counselling and advice
Lineage is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful harassment and retaliation. Lineage will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, colour, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability or any other protected status under federal, state and local law.
Job reference: INDUK
Why Lineage?
We are a global company with more than 22,000 employees spanning 20 countries and more than 400 locations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
At Lineage Logistics, we have a shared purpose; we are transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world. This means working at Lineage is not just a job – it’s an opportunity to innovate and put your mark on how food moves from the farm to dinner tables around the world. As a member of our team, you will be a critical link in the food supply chain.
Our shared purpose drives everything we do in all parts of our organisation, from the warehouse floor to the office. Our team members are passionate about the impact they make every single day.
We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from persons regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. At Lineage we also recognise that Ex-Military, veterans, and military families have great experience with transferable skills and core values that can add significant value to our organisation.
Benefits
As a Lineage team member, we aim to provide everything you and your family need to thrive. That’s why we offer competitive rates of pay, paid time off, skills training, and development opportunities to grow a long and fulfilling career with us – plus generous financial rewards when you successfully refer new employees. This is enhanced by recognition schemes (so that your hard work won’t go unnoticed), plus the chance to make your salary go even further with our cycle-to-work scheme and preferential rates for loans and savings courtesy of a leading credit union.
Your everyday wellbeing is also important to us, so we will provide you with all the protective equipment you need to be safe and comfortable at work, and you will have access to a free 24/7 employee assistance phone line, which offers confidential counselling and advice. With all of this offered against the backdrop of a fun and social environment in which you will be supported by a team who enjoy helping each other in achieving their goals, we are confident you will excel with us.
