Location
Blagdon
Position
Procurement
Advertising Salary
£37,500 to £42,500 Depending on experience
Advert Closing Date
29 May 2025

So, what will I be doing?

Are you passionate about sustainable packaging and ready to make a real impact? We are looking for a Packaging buyer to join our procurement team based at our HQ office in Blagdon.
 
Reporting to the Packaging Procurement Manager, the Packaging Buyer will be responsible for the procurement of defined packaging categories including paper (cartons, corrugated), pouches, pillowpacks and labels for our Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Ltd (YVFP) and Yeo Valley Fruits (YVF) businesses.  With a major focus on quality, service, cost and sustainability, your role will be to identify, select and manage suppliers; working with business stakeholders to identify and implement end to end supply chain optimisation and risk management programs. This will be critical to ensuring that our packaging decisions support the delivery our Yeo Valley growth ambitions and impacts.
 
 This is a fantastic opportunity to join our friendly and passionate procurement team; and work in a complex, fast-moving category with a real opportunity to influence and deliver positive change in our supply chains for our customers and consumers.


Key responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement category plans for packaging categories which address consumer, customer, and brand requirements in the areas of cost, service, quality, and sustainability

  • Negotiate and implement packaging supply contracts - completing market reviews where applicable to identify potential new sources of supply
  • Optimise supplier relationships and work with the Supplier Relationship Manager to measure supplier performance against key metrics, and embed supplier improvement plans were applicable to support delivery of packaging sustainability, quality and service requirements
  • Work with suppliers and business stakeholders to identify and implement workstreams that reduce the total cost of packaging supply
  • Support the business budgeting and forecasting processes by providing packaging raw material, market updates and price forecasts
  • Work with suppliers and business stakeholders to identify and implement new packaging innovation and packaging changes to meet our ambitious sustainability goals
  • Ensure that accurate and reliable price variance, cost saving initiatives, market reports and cover forecasts are accurately compiled and communicated within the business
  • You will also provide support and cover to the Procurement Manager – Plastics.

 Working hours - 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Core working hours are between 8am and 6pm however flexible working hours could be discussed.

Location: We have sites across the South-West and our Head Office is based in the idyllic Mendip Hills. This role is predominantly based, when working in the office, at our HQ site. However, whilst there will be times when you will be working from our manufacturing sites, or visiting suppliers, hybrid home working options are in place.

 

Sounds interesting, what do I need?

The important things:

- Prior procurement experience – category management, contracting and tendering
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills
- Able to work to tight or challenging deadlines
- Self-motivated and adaptable, able to juggle multiple priorities
- Numeracy, literacy, and presentation skills
- Proven collaborator and communicator. Can build relationships at all levels
- Good understanding of supply chain risks and risk management techniques

Even better if:

- CIPS Qualified
- Prior experience of packaging sourcing
- FMCG/Food manufacturing experience
- Degree Educated or equivalent work experience
- Proven track record in delivering sustainable cost savings

Why should I join the family?

We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.

We’re sure you don’t need convincing, but there’s a whole host of benefits that we offer including:

  • competitive holiday allowance
  • non-contributory pension scheme
  • life cover
  • healthcare cash back plan
  • cycle to work scheme
  • subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
  • preferential rates with our partners
  • annual bonus (as part of the Employee Benefit Trust, based on company performance for the year)
  • learning and development opportunities; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow

Our closing dates are a guide for when the application window should close, although we may close the advert sooner if we can. So, we recommend you get your application in straight away – and don’t miss the opportunity to join us!

Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide employment sponsorship to candidates at this moment in time.

Please note that Yeo Valley do not accept speculative agency applications; we will only accept applications from preferred suppliers that have been submitted to us via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.

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