Category Buyer – Poultry/ Protein Location: Greater Manchester Salary: £55,000 Benefits Are you a commercially astute buyer with a passion for sourcing top-quality products and driving performance in a fast-paced, chilled food environment? A leading national food manufacturer and supplier is seeking a Category Buyer to take ownership of their protein procurement, with a particular focus on poultry, and play a vital role in supporting both operational excellence and strategic growth. Your Responsibilities Take charge of the end-to-end buying strategy for key protein categories, aligning supplier partnerships with changing business needs. Negotiate directly with suppliers on pricing, volume, and product specifications – ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality. Collaborate cross-functionally with supply chain, planning, and operations teams to manage supplier performance and uphold service level agreements. Be the market expert in your category – monitoring trends, assessing risks, and presenting clear insights to both internal stakeholders and customers. Support tender processes by delivering timely, accurate forecasts and forward pricing indications. Maintain accurate supplier pricing data and oversee the seamless administration of cost updates. Identify and manage risks in the supply chain, ensuring consistent product availability. Skills & Experience Required Experience in food procurement – ideally in poultry or chilled/fresh categories. Strong negotiation skills with a keen understanding of product and material costing. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems. A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to prioritise under pressure. Comfortable working in a chilled environment and engaging with suppliers both in the UK and abroad. A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel when required. Ideally, degree-level education or CIPS qualification. Background in fresh meat or poultry supply is highly advantageous In Return The opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK’s most respected food suppliers. A role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to make a measurable impact across the business. Be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Apply today to take the next step in your career as a strategic procurement specialist in the dynamic world of protein sourcing!