Procurement Manager - Direct
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Direct Procurement Manager
* Location: Based at Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0JU. Candidates will be expected to work for the office 4 days a week
* Contract: 40 hours a week - Monday - Friday
* Salary: c £50,000 - £55,000 Depending on Experience.
What you’ll be doing…
Riverford delivers fresh, seasonal, organic food to thousands of customers weekly across the UK. Our procurement team plays a vital role in maintaining the exceptional standards we are known for, sourcing ethically, sustainably, and commercially.
Long-established supplier relationships are integral to Riverford's success. We work over the long-term with our suppliers, creating partnerships built on mutual trust and shared benefits. Being commercially astute and securing competitive pricing is essential, but we should always achieve this respectfully, valuing our suppliers and reflecting our core business ethos.
We are restructuring our Supply Chain and Procurement functions, clearly defining roles across Planning, Procurement, and Supply Chain Management. This newly created Procurement Manager position within the wider Supply Chain team is key to our future growth, responsible for leading the buying team, managing supplier relationships, overseeing strategic sourcing (including fresh produce, chilled and ambient goods, and ingredients), and developing procurement strategies with the wider Procurement and Supply Chain teams aligned with Riverford’s strategic growth and sustainability objectives.
This role includes budgetary responsibilities, the line management of a team of Category Buyers, and to be the custodian of Riverfords direct procurement processes. It requires strategic insight, excellent negotiation skills, proficiency in market analysis, and a proactive, systematic approach to risk management.
Based predominantly on-site at Wash Farm in Devon (minimum four days per week), the role also requires regular travel to visit our growers and suppliers across the UK and Europe.
Skills & experience
Essential:
* Proven leadership experience in procurement, ideally within fresh produce, FMCG, or related sectors.
* Demonstrated success in managing procurement budgets and delivering significant cost savings.
* Proven track record of building, developing, and leading a procurement team, with the ability to demonstrate your leadership approach and team development strategy.
* Strong negotiation skills, commercial acumen, and ability to manage and develop supplier relationships.
* Experience conducting structured procurement and tender processes.
* Proficient in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel for strategic analysis and forecasting.
* Skilled in systematically identifying market risks, conducting spend analysis, and proactively driving improvements and cost reductions.
* Excellent stakeholder engagement skills across all business levels.
* CIPS Level 3 qualified (or equivalent)
Application Process: We’re reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may close the advert early, so we encourage you to apply soon.
Co-owner benefits
Riverford is a beautiful place to work, with lots of great people – and other perks too. Some of our benefits include: 33 days holiday pro rata (including bank holidays), generous company pension scheme, annual profit share (10% of all our profits are split equally between all co-owners), heavily discounted organic breakfasts and lunches, free organic fruit and veg, and free parking