Packaging Buyer

Packaging Category Ownership

• To ensure the company's sources packaging supplies at the most competitive prices
• Develop detailed knowledge of existing and potential supply base by category - build supplier capability analysis summaries to facilitate benchmarking process
• Challenge the status quo with a view to optimising the supply base to support the company's aggressive growth and innovation agenda
• Apply legal and ethical considerations to all negotiations
• Develop robust market intelligence within individual packaging categories.
• Establish frequent reporting of commodity movements & dialogue regularly with key internal stakeholders
• Evaluate total value chain to define most appropriate sourcing process and execute in line with procurement best practice eg RFQ, on line auctions, collaborative sourcing etc
• Maintain a live packaging pricelist database
• Maintenance of packaging suppliers and specifications within prospective databases
• To provide support to new product development and deliver costing enquiries in a timely manner
• To provide support operational support and understanding of packaging performance within the manufacturing environment

Financial Processes

• Contribute to the annual standard setting process for packaging materials - provide clear articulation of rationale for assumptions
• Clearly articulate monthly packaging PPV - provide clear articulation of volume and value variances
• To give consideration to total cost in reviewing supplier quotes
• Accountable for giving forward price guidance
• Accountable for accurately forecasting currency requirements where category requires
• Deliver a minimum 4-6% YOY annual cost savings across the packaging portfolio

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Own and manage category commercial relationships
• Ensure all requirements and special terms of contracts are met
• Develop SRM program or similar framework with strategic suppliers
• Drive the optimisation of product and process with suppliers
• Agree specification with supplier following consultation with key internal stakeholders eg Technical, Production and Quality colleagues
• Develop and implement robust supplier risk management process to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Develop business continuity plans for all strategic and key packaging suppliers
• Negotiate service level agreements and KPI's following consultation with key internal stakeholders
• Manage packaging nonconformance and effective claim resolution

The Person

• The successful candidate will need to have experience within procurement, preferably packaging and FMCG and ideally will be educated to A Level (or equivalent) or above.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and confident in decision making
• They will possess a high level of numeracy and approach tasks in an organised and structured way to ensure systems are maintained accurately and all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Excellent communication skills are a definite requirement - written and verbal with both internal and external stakeholders alongside an ability to negotiate effectively.
• Attention to detail required in all aspects of the role along with IT competence.
• Personally you will be approachable, positive, team orientated and able to exit your comfort zone when business demands that little more than the norm.
• The role will demand some travel at times so driving license essential and flexibility to the standard working day when sometimes required.