Procurement Manager – Private Label Food (FMCG) - Surrey
Location – Guildford, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Walton on Thames, Tunbridge Wells, Kingston upon Thames, Croydon, Crawley, Epsom, Leatherhead, Dorking
Package – £80,000 - £100,000 per annum, EOT company bonus, car allowance (mileage) pension contribution, plus other benefits
Working Hours – Monday to Thursday 8am – 5pm (office based – Reigate), Friday WFH(after probation)
The Company
Working alongside the Managing Director, the Procurement Manager will be a key member of the senior management team, responsible for sourcing and managing private label food products for major customers. This is a commercially critical role within a fast-paced FMCG environment, where retailer specifications, margin management, availability, and speed to market are paramount.
You will have end-to-end responsibility for procurement across a private label food portfolio, managing global suppliers and ensuring products meet customer, technical, ethical, and commercial requirements. The role requires strong experience in food buying, supplier negotiation, and working to exacting customer and retailer standards.
The Role
* Source private label food products in line with customer and retailer specifications, delivering the optimal balance of cost, quality, lead time, and supply continuity
* Manage and develop relationships with global food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers
* Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, volumes, and contracts in margin-sensitive environments
* Monitor raw material markets and supplier performance, proactively managing cost pressures and supply risk
* Ensure all sourcing activity complies with ethical sourcing policies, food safety standards, and customer requirements
* Work closely with Quality and Technical teams to support specifications, audits, traceability, and compliance documentation
* Support Logistics and Imports activity, including customs clearance and shipping documentation, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery
* Manage customer tenders, providing Sales & Marketing with accurate pricing, cost models, and supporting commercial data, contracts, reporting on performance, and always looking for ways to add value.
* Collaborate closely with Demand Planning and Operations to achieve service level, availability, and stock targets
* Identify, assess, and onboard new private label food suppliers to support growth, innovation, and resilience of supply
* Build a deep understanding of customers, their brands, and retailer expectations
The Person
We are looking for candidates from FMCG/Food buying background at senior level to manage the procurement department
* Proven experience in private label food or FMCG procurement / buying
* Strong understanding of grocery retailer specifications, food safety, and compliance requirements
* Commercially astute with a strong track record of negotiation and cost management
* Tenacious, detail-driven, and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment
* Excellent planning, organisational, and stakeholder management skills
* Strong IT skills with confidence in Excel and cost modelling
* Knowledge of international food supply chains, shipping, duties, and import processes highly beneficial
* French or Spanish language skills beneficial but not essential
* You will live within one hour’s commute of Reigate
This is a senior, hands‑on procurement role offering real influence over private label product sourcing and supplier strategy within a growing FMCG food business.
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