Food Purchasing Executive/Food Buyer
Job Overview
We are looking for an experienced Food Buyer/Purchasing Executive to join our purchasing team. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role suited to someone who genuinely understands food purchasing, stock flow, and real-time decision-making. You will be responsible for analysing stock movements, reacting quickly to changing availability, and making confident, commercial decisions throughout the day – including redirecting collections, adjusting orders, or cancelling supply when required.
This role requires someone with strong judgement, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm and decisive in hour-by-hour operational situations. You will work closely with suppliers, drivers, warehouse, sales, and accounts to ensure product availability, quality, and margin are protected.
Key Responsibilities
1. Purchasing & Supplier Management
* Place, amend, and manage purchase orders in line with demand, availability, and stock levels.
* ·Maintain close, proactive communication with suppliers regarding availability, pricing, substitutions, and delivery timings.
* React quickly to changes in supply by adjusting orders, redirecting collections, or cancelling where necessary.
* Monitor supplier performance and escalate recurring issues to the Purchasing Lead.
* Maintain accurate supplier records, pricing, and product information.
2. Stock & Availability Management
* Actively monitor stock transactions and live stock levels throughout the day.
* Anticipate shortages and take preventative action to protect availability.
* Reduce non-fulfilment through accurate, timely purchasing decisions.
* Liaise with warehouse and transport teams to resolve shortages, delivery discrepancies, or urgent stock issues.
* Support stock rotation and freshness by purchasing appropriately against sales trends.
3. Pricing & Commercial Control
* Manage and update supplier pricing accurately within systems.
* Communicate price changes clearly to Sales and relevant internal teams.
* Support margin protection through commercially aware purchasing decisions.
* Assist with analysis of purchasing, pricing, and stock data to identify risks and opportunities.
4. Cross-Department Collaboration
* Work closely with Sales, Warehouse, Operations, and Accounts to ensure smooth day-to-day trading.
* Support Accounts with invoice checks, pricing discrepancies, and supplier queries.
* Contribute to forecasting and planning through accurate data, feedback, and market awareness.
5. Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Maintain organised purchasing records and documentation.
* Contribute to regular reporting on stock levels, supplier performance, and purchasing activity.
* Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, responsiveness, and efficiency.
Essential Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in a food purchasing or buying role, ideally within food distribution, wholesale, or hospitality supply.
* Strong understanding of stock management and fast-moving, perishable products.
* Ability to analyse stock data and react quickly with sound commercial judgement.
* Highly detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills.
* Confident communicator, comfortable dealing with suppliers and internal teams.
* Proactive, quick-thinking, and able to make decisions under pressure.
Working Hours
* Full time: Monday to Friday, 08:30–17:00
* 1–2 Saturday mornings per month (typically 3 hours, days dependent on requirement)
What We Offer
* 4-month probationary period
* Purchasing team bonus linked to company performance
* Staff discount
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £32,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person