Senior Buying Manager

Overview of Company

Pets Choice is an ever‑evolving FMCG branded pet products manufacturer and supplier. As one of the fastest‑growing producers in the pet‑care industry, we’re committed to elevating our large, diverse portfolio of trusted brands, including Webbox, Bob Martin, Felight, Vets Kitchen, Hownd and Meatiful.

Our products range from food, treats, toys, accessories, and healthcare, giving us a uniquely broad presence across the pet‑care landscape. We manufacture and supply into a wide range of channels including Grocery, Discounter, Wholesale, eCommerce, Pet Specialist, and Export markets, ensuring our brands reach pet owners across the UK and beyond.

Overview of Role

As part of the Supply Chain and Procurement team, you will be responsible for a small team managing outsourced finished goods, ensuring the business has a reliable and cost-effective supply of products that meet agreed quality, regulatory, and service standards.

Working collaboratively with Planning, Technical, Supply Chain, Marketing and Commercial teams, you will manage supplier performance, support product launches, optimise inventory levels, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost savings, and supply chain efficiency.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Supplier Management

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for finished goods categories that support company growth, profitability, and customer requirements.
• Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships, acting as the key commercial contact for strategic finished goods suppliers.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate spend, improve supplier performance, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Conduct regular market analysis to understand industry trends, commodity movements, manufacturing capabilities, and emerging supply risks.
• Monitor supplier financial health, capacity, compliance, and operational performance to mitigate supply chain risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Strategic Replenishment & Supplier Management
• Develop and implement procurement strategies for finished goods categories that support company growth, profitability, and customer requirements.
• Monitor supplier financial health, capacity, compliance, and operational performance to mitigate supply chain risks.
• Lead supplier business reviews and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service, quality, and cost performance.
• Work closely with Marketing and NPD team to support product development, scope out potential of existing and new suppliers.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to resolve any supplier or material quality issues.

Inventory & Cost Management

• Monitor and manage supplier pricing, ensuring competitiveness and transparency across all finished goods categories.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve margins, reduce total cost of ownership, and enhance procurement efficiency.
• Develop and track key procurement KPIs including cost savings, supplier performance, service levels, inventory health, and working capital metrics.
• Deliver annual cost savings targets through strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, value engineering, and supplier development initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve margins, reduce total cost of ownership, and enhance procurement efficiency.

Compliance & Reporting

• Develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply across all finished goods categories.
• Implement supplier contingency plans and dual-source strategies where appropriate.
• Monitor geopolitical, economic, regulatory, and market developments that may impact the supply base.
• Support inventory optimisation initiatives, balancing customer service requirements with working capital objectives.
• Lead resolution of critical supply disruptions through effective stakeholder and supplier management.
• Champion procurement best practice, governance, and compliance across the organisation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement processes, systems, and supplier management activities.
• Promote a culture of commercial excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Present regular procurement reports, leveraging data analytics to monitor KPIs and performance metrics.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications required

Essential

• Supplier relationship and stakeholder management
• Proven experience in procurement with technical understanding within a FMCG environment.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management, and analytical skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with planning, technical, and production teams.
• Proficiency in inventory management.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management experience.
• Knowledge of MRP systems and procurement analytics tools.
• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness
• Leadership and team development
• Risk management and problem-solving
• Strong analytical and decision-making capability
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Advanced negotiation and influencing skills

Desirable

• Previous experience within the pet industry

Please note this role requires a minimum of 7 days per fortnight in the office, with the remaining 3 days working from home.