Senior Procurement Buyer / Category Manager

Job description

The Company

Part of dnata Group, dnata catering UK specialises in airline catering and has an exciting opportunity for 2 Senior Procurement Buyers / Category Managers to join our dynamic team. The roles will be based at either Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester airports dependent on successful candidates location. This permanent position is well suited to an individual looking to progress their career in Procurement and gain experience in a supportive workplace.

The Role

Working alongside our team of procurement specialists, your role is key as you take responsibility for the strategic sourcing and category management for accountable categories. Developing clear category management strategies, you will maximise value across the end to end product selection sourcing process. The emphasis is on buying the right products to fit the longer term needs of our customers and the business whilst achieving total cost solutions rather than a simple quick, price focussed fit.

The role is part time (32 hpw)

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the senior team in the delivery of the overall procurement business strategy, with direct accountability for specific directs categories
• Developing and delivering the accountable category strategies, effective range development, strategic sourcing and category management
• Managing suppliers in terms of regular business and performance reviews, driving continuous improvement initiatives, forecasts/re-forecasts and ongoing relationship development to optimise the value and performance of each supplier
• Negotiating and management of commercial terms for all suppliers that fall within scope, integrating into central contractual agreements to synergise benefits and maximise sustainable value
• Consolidating expenditure and suppliers wherever appropriate, to maximize volumes and minimise complexity
• Enhancing all procurement practices in sourcing and supplier management through the implementation of the Scanmarket eSourcing platforms, including but not limited to all tenders, contracts and supplier information in order to underpin category opportunities where appropriate
• Defining supplier joint business plan strategies and execute appropriate processes in line with the Procurement and Category strategies
• Managing and communicating the impact of supply decisions with operational internal stakeholders
• Ensuring SLAs and contracts are in place and maintained for all key, accountable suppliers within the eSourcing platforms
• Supporting the menu development process for accountable airlines in collaboration with your internal stakeholders, such as Sales, New Product Development/ Culinary and Commercial, through new product sourcing and pricing
• Adhering to company compliance procedures and the development and implementation of functional processes, guidelines, policies and projects relative to accountable category activities

The Person

• Relevant sourcing and category management experience within foodservice, manufacturing and or food production
• Understanding of common and broad general market knowledge
• Good negotiation skills and an ability to influence key decision makers
• Experience of delivering change
• Possess commercial awareness
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentational skills
• Highly analytical and methodical approach
• Ability to structure workload, to plan and multi-task

Desirable

• Competent with eProcurement platforms and IT solutions
• CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience

The Benefits

We recognise the remarkable work of our people and reward this with a generous benefits scheme. As a valued member of dnata Catering, you will be entitled to these fantastic benefits once you start:

Free meals and onsite parking when on location
Generous holiday package
Optional access to Private medical insurance via BUPA
Life cover (x3 annual salary for members) and Sick pay (up to 14 weeks with service)
Leisure discounts (inc. discounts on flights and gym membership)
Company funded medical cashplan via Simplyhealth
Access to our own Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle2Work scheme