Procurement Manager

Westland Horticulture is excited to offer a new opportunity for an experienced Procurement Manager to join our dynamic operations team in Alconbury Hill. In this role, you will be strategically sourcing packaging materials from UK and European suppliers.

Reporting to the Director of Procurement, you will drive key sourcing initiatives that keep Westland at the forefront of packaging innovations. Your insights into market trends, legislation, and production will support our commitment to quality, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cost Optimisation: Use market insights and supply chain analysis to uncover cost-saving opportunities and streamline packaging processes.
• Specification Management: Collate and benchmark packaging specifications against industry standards, setting new standards with Marketing, Procurement, and Operations teams.
• Supplier Relationships: Develop strong, collaborative relationships with key packaging suppliers to stay ahead of technological advancements and industry innovations.
• Cost Engineering: Apply cost engineering practices to meet manufacturing requirements while controlling costs.
• Innovation: Engage in problem-solving with current and new suppliers to drive innovative solutions for packaging needs.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work with Marketing to develop packaging for new products and coordinate with Quality to ensure specifications are accurate and maintained.
• Negotiations & Trials: Negotiate prices, quality, and lead times with suppliers and coordinate trials for new or re-engineered packaging formats.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in a manufacturing environment
• Purchasing experience preferred to include Packaging and Chemicals.
• Comfortable dealing with suppliers (meetings, conference calls)
• Ability to successfully function in a matrix style of management, managing a variety of cross-functional team members.
• Reporting, analysing and presenting data
• Excellent organisational and follow-up skills, competent in problem solving, team player, planning and decision making.
• Familiar with new product development (timelines, critical paths).
• Understanding artwork process is a benefit
• Understanding of raw material purchasing / supply chain in areas of packaging and chemicals would be an advantage

Qualifications:

• Education: Degree or relevant professional qualification (preferred but not essential).
• Certifications: CIPS certification and a Packaging Diploma are desirable.

Why Westland?

Join us to lead impactful projects that shape the future of packaging at Westland Horticulture. We value innovation and expertise and offer a platform for you to make a difference. If you’re excited about this opportunity, we’d love to hear from you!