Purchasing Specialist Location: Hadleigh/Edinburgh/Norwich Job Type: Full-time, Permanent Start Date: March 2025 A highly motivated Purchasing Specialist is sought to join a dynamic team within the Food and Beverage sector. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in sourcing and purchasing, particularly within the distribution industry. This pivotal role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and sourcing high-quality food and beverage products, with an emphasis on glass, from European suppliers and international markets. Day-to-day of the role: Identify, assess, and select reliable suppliers or vendors who meet quality, cost, reliability, and delivery time requirements. Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with suppliers to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships. Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to secure the best possible pricing while maintaining product quality. Continuously monitor and research the market for new products, suppliers, industry trends, and pricing fluctuations. Ensure all sourced products meet required quality standards and comply with industry regulations (e.g., food safety standards, environmental guidelines). Oversee the procurement process from order placement to delivery, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of materials and products. Regularly evaluate supplier performance based on quality, on-time delivery, and service levels. Identify and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions, quality issues, or financial instability among suppliers. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of supplier agreements, contracts, purchase orders, and compliance documentation. Collaborate with other departments such as product development, logistics, marketing, and operations to align sourcing strategies with company objectives. Source products in alignment with the company’s sustainability goals and ethical standards, ensuring suppliers follow environmental and social responsibility practices. Identify opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining quality and service levels, such as by consolidating suppliers or finding alternative materials. Lead the negotiationprocess for contracts, ensuring all terms are clearly defined and protect the company’s interests. Required Skills& Qualifications: Demonstrated experience (3 years) in procurement or sourcing, ideally within a related industry (e.g. Distribution or manufacturing, with a solid understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, and cost optimisation strategies. Familiarity with packaging materials, suppliers, and processes, including trends, regulations, and best practices, especially for food or beverage products. Strong investigative skills, with the ability to research new suppliers, trends, and market conditions, and conduct thorough market analyses. Proficiency with basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) for tracking data, preparing reports, and communicating with teams. Experience with Sage is advantageous for managing procurement records, invoices, and supplier data. The ability to quickly learn new systems and software is crucial. Benefits: Competitive salary (to be discussed at interview stage) Perk Box Membership Impro-share Scheme Company contributing Pension Scheme 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays