UK Packaging & In-directs Purchasing Manager

Exceptional UK Packaging & In-directs Purchasing Manager required to join our Purchasing team to lead the sourcing and supply of packaging and indirect goods and services across the UK business, ensuring continuity of supply, competitive total cost, appropriate stockholding and effective supplier performance. The role will develop and implement category strategies for packaging, PPE, factory consumables and other indirect spend, working closely with Operations, Technical, Finance, Planning, Engineering, NPD and site teams to support business requirements, innovation and sustainability objectives.

Pay: Competitive salary with annual managerial bonus eligibility and private health insurance.

Main Responsibilities

Develop and implement category strategies for packaging and indirect spend that align with company objectives, operational requirements, customer needs, budgets, sustainability commitments and supply risk appetite.

Own sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contract activity for allocated categories, evaluating total cost of ownership, service, quality, innovation, payment terms and business risk to secure best overall value.

Work closely with Planning, Operations and site-based teams to forecast requirements, maintain appropriate stock levels and ensure the availability of packaging, PPE, factory consumables and other critical indirect items.

Monitor supply, demand and inventory and react quickly to changes, shortages or obsolescence risks, establishing effective contingency plans and alternative sources to protect continuity of production.

Develop strong, ethical and collaborative supplier relationships; agree measurable service levels and conduct regular performance reviews covering cost, delivery, quality, responsiveness, innovation and corrective actions.

Ensure suppliers and supplied materials or services comply with agreed specifications, food safety, quality, traceability, ethical sourcing, legal and company standards, working with Technical and other specialists as required.

Manage packaging changes, trials, artwork transitions and new product or promotional launches with relevant stakeholders, ensuring clear timelines, approvals, stock run-down plans and controlled implementation.

Prepare and manage category budgets, forecasts and savings plans; track price movements, undertake variance and margin-impact analysis, validate benefits and provide clear, timely procurement reporting.

Monitor relevant commodity, energy, labour, freight, packaging and supply-market trends to inform negotiations, identify opportunities and communicate emerging cost or continuity risks to stakeholders.

Support the company’s sustainability agenda by challenging material use, waste and specification, and by working with suppliers and internal teams to identify practical, compliant and commercially viable improvements.

Maintain accurate purchasing data, contracts, specifications, price files and supplier records within relevant systems; improve procurement processes, controls and transparency, and lead or support team development where applicable.

Skills and Experience Required

Minimum of 4 years’ procurement experience, with direct responsibility for packaging and/or indirect categories, ideally within chilled food, fresh produce or a similar FMCG environment.

Strong commercial, negotiation and supplier relationship management skills, with evidence of delivering sustainable cost, service and risk improvements.

Sound knowledge of packaging specifications, print or artwork processes, supply planning and stock management; CIPS qualification or working towards it is desirable.

Analytical and financially astute, with the ability to interpret spend, usage, market and supplier performance data and convert insight into clear actions.

Effective cross-functional communicator and project manager, proficient in ERP/MRP systems and procurement tools, with a practical approach to change and continuous improvement.

What You Will Get In Return

A salary package DOE, inclusion in our leadership annual bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:

Life Assurance: 4x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.

Employee Assistance Programme and BUPA: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues, as well as access to BUPA Membership.

Annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as the option to purchase up to 2 additional working weeks of holiday per annum.

Learning and Development: Personalised induction and regular learning and development courses and schemes: From L2 to L7 Funded Apprenticeships, Leadership Development Programme, First-Aid and MHFA Training, and many more!

Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers and access to salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.

Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, and a free staff transport service to and from Burton.

About Us

Within the UK there are two food manufacturing sites within Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, which is an autonomous part of the larger 17,500 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial.

The business operates mainly under it's recognisable Florette salad brand and we are one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry. Under the well-known Florette brand, our site processes and distributes pre-packed, ready to eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's most well-known supermarkets and retailers, as well as your favourite restaurants and fast food vendors. In total, we sell on average around 600,000kg of products every week - an unbe-leaf-able amount!

Agrial has operations across 11 countries, with 100 industrial sites, and a 2024 turnover of €7.1bn across 5 food divisions which comprise of Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce! As well as 2 factories we also have a farming operation – Agrial Fresh Farms. All UK sites operate under the name of Agrial Fresh Produce Limited and fall under Agrial's vegetable division. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team.

Next Steps

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us to innovate in everything we do! We’re looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills or experience we are looking for, and want a fresh challenge we would love for you to join us on our journey!

Agrial Fresh Produce reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

VISA Sponsorship: This role is only open to applicants who have the permanent right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide or take over visa sponsorship, either now or in the future. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ongoing eligibility to work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work