Mission
Our mission is to create new products, to develop partnerships with new and existing customers and suppliers to guarantee the long-term sustainability of Avondale Foods as an organisation.
Job Position:Procurement Manager Department:Produce Purchasing
Reports to:Senior Purchasing Manager Hours:40 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Scope of Role
Avondale Foods is a leading food manufacturing company of Fresh and Chilled products supplying leading retail businesses including Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Dunnes, Morrisons, Aldi & Lidl throughout the UK & Ireland.
The Procurement Manager plays a key role in the success of production trials and meeting launch deadlines, directly influencing overall production workflow. They contribute to company profitability by reducing material costs and supporting business growth. From a technical perspective, the role ensures due diligence on site, maintaining integrity and upholding the highest standards of food safety.
Key Responsibilities
Responsible for managing the produce supply base, ensuring availability while balancing seasonal fluctuations, cost control and budget adherence. Requires strong communication, foresight, and problem-solving skills to maintain supply resilience – avoiding both shortages and over-ordering.
- Ensure resilience planning is in place and maintained on site across all areas
- Plan fresh produce in line with growing through to harvesting, staying up to date with forecasting and updates.
- Lead site services procurement including laundry, pest control, vending, gas, electricity, chemicals, forklifts, and drinking water.
- Ensure compliance with company protocol and policies.
- Monitor supply performance and negotiate the best price, strategically sourcing new suppliers if necessary.
- Identify efficiency opportunities and drive improvements through innovation and best practices.
- Liaise daily with production department, report stock levels and any disruptions to supply chain.
- Uphold food safety and integrity standards and ensure products meet requirements.
- Conduct and support audits of suppliers and service providers to ensure compliance with food safety, ethical sourcing and legal requirements.
- Involvement in strategic projects, contributing to business planning and risk mitigation in line with company growth.
- Contribute to the development of a culture of Integrity, collaboration do the right thing approach in all interactions.
- Ensure Food Safety compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements to remain audit-ready at all times.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
2-3 years experience in a similar role
Educated to degree level in a related field
Management experience
Experience supporting budget planning processes
Good negotiation skills and proven ability to build rapport with both internal and external stakeholders effectively
Good attention to detail with excellent organisational skills
Working knowledge of IT systems
Valid Passport and eligibility to travel nationally and internationally
Desirable Criteria
Specific supply chain related qualification
Evident experience in project management or Lean Manufacturing
Familiarity with sustainability and ethical sourcing standards
Experience contributing to strategic procurement initiatives
Advanced Excel skills or experience with ERP/MRP systems
Skills:
Procurement Procurement Project Management Strategic Sourcing Supplier Negotiation
Benefits:
Group Life Assurance Parking
