Supply Chain & Procurement Specialist

Job Description

Supply Chain & Procurement Specialist

South-Essex (Hybrid - Min. 3 Days On-Site)

Up to £45,000 (DOE)

About the Role

A leading UK supplier, blender, and distributor of high-quality food ingredients—specialising in juices, extracts, herbs, and spices—is seeking an experienced Supply Chain and Procurement Specialist to join their team in South-Essex.

This is a key hands-on position responsible for managing raw material sourcing, inventory planning, and vendor performance in a fast-paced environment. The role requires a candidate who combines food ingredients procurement experience with daily hands-on proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and advanced Excel skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and procure raw materials—specifically juices, purees, extracts, herbs, and spices—from global and domestic suppliers.
• Utilise Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central daily for purchasing, purchase order tracking, stock allocations, and inventory management.
• Maintain optimal stock levels, forecast material requirements, and align inventory turnover with blending schedules and customer orders.
• Monitor vendor performance, manage lead times, and ensure supplier compliance with food safety and BRC quality standards.
• Build and maintain Excel workbooks to track cost trends, lead times, and inventory variance.
• Partner closely with Production, Quality Assurance, and Commercial teams to resolve supply chain bottlenecks.

Your Skills & Experience

• Proven supply chain or procurement experience within food manufacturing, beverages, or food ingredients (direct experience with juices, concentrates, extracts, or spices is strongly preferred).
• Demonstrated hands-on proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (or Navision/NAV) alongside strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a personal vehicle are required. Must be able to work on-site a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Practical understanding of food safety, BRC traceability requirements, and raw material import processes.