Procurement Manager

An informal, no-nonsense and ambitious culture

Personal development through our Academies and other training courses

Colleagues who like to share their passion and knowledge with you

We work For the Future of Farming. Would you like to join us?

Based in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom

Location: To be confirmed upon appointment

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Job Req: R8355

The Job

Working within the Procurement team, the Procurement Manager is responsible for the purchase of a number of raw materials across all the For Farmers UK mills and blend sites, working closely with suppliers and key departments within ForFarmers to maximise financial and operational performance and mitigate risk.

The Role

• Understand the needs and requirements of key internal teams: formulation, procurement execution, technical and production.
• Work closely with sales teams, supplying market intelligence, cost book predictions, and market presentations where needed.
• Provide support for key customers, understand their needs and priorities whilst managing their raw material book where relevant via RM trades.

Teamwork

• Build relationships within the Procurement team and other departments.
• Recognise the crucial link between purchasing and the formulation process.
• Consistently achieve personal targets and assist junior team members to achieve team success.
• Provide support for colleagues. Take on additional responsibilities willingly.
• Support the inbound logistics team to maximise haulage efficiency.
• Turn team ideas into business success.

Commercial focus

• Understand how your role and daily activities can impact the bottom line and maximise profitability.
• Contract entry, contract allocation and forward estimates of pricing are key to commercial success and need to be accurate.
• Maximise the use of the software (SAP-BW) you have available to smooth processes.
• Work within the For Farmers purchasing risk policy.
• Work closely with suppliers to maximise business terms and benefits.

Planning and organising

• Manage and prioritise personal workload, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Analyse markets of your allocated materials and formulate buying policy.
• Understand the importance and impact to the business of correct contract entry and allocation of contracts to the correct cost books.
• Analyse supply chains, constantly looking forward, ensuring consistent supply of your materials with a planned contingency in the event of a problem.

Influence and persuasion

• Regular contact, face to face and via teams with all areas of the business ensuring a free flow of information and mutual understanding.
• Ensure authority, integrity and credibility with all internal and external contacts.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers implementing a "win:win" philosophy.
• With knowledge find your own negotiation style (which might change by supplier) to ensure the best overall deal for ForFarmers.
• Challenge more senior colleagues when appropriate.

Initiative and proactivity

• Gain knowledge to spot an opportunity to improve efficiency within the team.
• As a new entrant to the role, ask questions and challenge the status quo to spark debate and new ways of working.
• Be comfortable to address issues outside your own remit.

Qualifications

• 5 years of purchasing experience in feed commodity markets
• Unquestionable integrity
• Able to work under pressure
• Skilled negotiator
• Analytical mind
• Ability to travel on company business as required
• Full driving license
• Degree or equivalent
• SAP/BW experience

About ForFarmers

ForFarmers produces feed for cattle, pigs and poultry in both conventional and organic livestock farming. And that probably sounds a great deal simpler than it actually is. Make no mistake: an awful lot of knowledge, research and innovation has gone into one of those seemingly simple-looking chunks of animal feed. And these are the kind of things we, as a company, invest a great deal in.

What are the benefits of working for ForFarmers UK?

• Employee Assistance Programme (offering support on a range of topics).
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Options to enhance your pension after 12 months service (increased employer contributions).
• Opportunities to grow personally and develop within the business.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• B&Q Trade card offering 10% discounts in-store and online.

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria on the Gov.UK website.

Please make us aware if you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in this process.

We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

What is ForFarmers' job application process?

Interested in the vacancy above? Click apply to begin your application! We will ask you to upload your Cover Letter and CV (in one file) and provide us with some personal details too. We will subsequently contact you to inform you whether or not we will be progressing your application.

Online application: Make sure you have your Cover Letter and CV to hand.

Initial Informal Conversation: An initial informal introduction to explore the role in more detail.

Interview: You will be invited to a first stage interview with the hiring manager. Here we will provide you with more information on the role and our company whilst exploring what you can bring to the role should you be the successful candidate.

Assessment: For some roles we may ask you to complete a short assessment style activity (such as a presentation on a given topic or an online activity). This may be incorporated into the first or second interview.

Second interview: Where necessary, a second interview may be required.

Offer proposal: If all goes to plan, we will inform you verbally that we would like to offer you the position and summarise the proposed offer! Congratulations, you've got the job. Once we have verbal acceptance, we will issue you a formal contract and work towards a start date that works for you. Once you join us, you'll be contributing to the Future of Farming!