The Role:

Responsible for co-ordinating and implementing the company’s procurement strategy for purchases in support of the strategic growth plan alongside managing the overall day-to-day purchasing function of the business.

Main areas of spend will be ingredients, packaging, and utilities.

Full-time position, based at Warrenpoint, Newry, Northern Ireland.

As Purchasing Manager,  you will echo the quality, legality and authenticity of all our values at DELI LITES and give customers the opportunity to achieve their extraordinary results through the passion we have for our people and food. At DELI LITES we have a commitment diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections and groups within the community.

Your Duties:

• Negotiate overall best terms ensuring that the supply base and product meet the required business objectives in terms of financial, technical, corporate social responsibility, innovation, brand positioning and customer expectations.

• Manage, challenge suppliers on their performance based on value for money, quality and delivery service level considering a high level of innovation that is required.

• Support bill of material pricing in conjunction with commercial finance to ensure most competitive pricing is delivered to the customer.

• Present monthly reporting highlighting variances against budget for key areas of spend together with associated plans to rectify any areas of under-recovery.

• Review and implement an overall sku rationalisation plan in conjunction with NPD to support supply chain optimisation and efficiency.

• Overall oversight and responsibility for ensuring the business has a supply of ingredients and packaging within the targeted levels set for the business.

• Source new suppliers in line with Deli Lites sourcing and sustainability strategy.

• Management of indirect spend which will include sourcing, negotiation and contracting on 3^rd party warehousing, transport, facilities, and operational equipment.

• Implement a profit improvement plan that will deliver incremental procurement savings to those already assumed in the budget.

• Develop formal product sector category strategies, that develop a deep understanding of each area of key spend, together with associated short, medium, and long-term proposed procurement plans.

• Constantly update overall quality market intelligence gathering to ensure strong positioning in all price negotiations, to best manage risk, and to ensure better informed sourcing decisions across all areas of business spend.

• Regular stakeholder engagement with Head of Operations / Commercial and Food Development & Innovation to fully share supply and demand position within the supply base and collaboratively find solutions to ensure continuity of supply.

• Attend all business Sales & Operational (S&OP) planning meetings and update on required actions as needed.

• Develop risk management strategies, with supporting action plans, to minimise any adverse business impact due to supply chain issues.

• Manage the team  via regular performance reviews, 1:1’s , training and development requirements. 

Required Skills and Competencies

• Graduate level with 5 years extensive experience of managing procurement functions in a complex FMCG business (MCIPS certified or equivalent)

• Team player.

• Previous people management skills necessary

• Strong numeric and verbal reasoning skills / IT literate.

• Experience of S&OP.

• Good attention to detail and excellent communicator.

• Ability to make difficult decisions and to take a calm and measured approach in a pressurised environment.

• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Previous experience of MRP / WMS / ERP systems.

• Operational FMCG manufacturing experience desirable.

• Proven experience of creating strong supplier relationship management systems eg – Scorecards / Quarterly reviews

In return you will receive;

• Competitive Salary
• Discounted Food
• Free on-site parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Staff Wellbeing Portal
• Staff Events
• Perks Card
• Tech Scheme
• Staff Events