Procurement Manager (Chocolate & Ingredients)

Zertus UK & Ireland (Humdinger, Kinnerton Confectionery & Lir Chocolates) - Hybrid

Position type: Permanent; Full-time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Pay range: £50,000 - £60,000

Key Benefits: Annual bonus plan; International travel; CIPS membership fees covered; Healthcare cash plan; 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays; Hybrid working

Location: We have manufacturing sites and offices across the UK & Ireland, including Heckington (Lincolnshire), Bromborough (Wirral), Fakenham (Norfolk), Hull (East Yorkshire), Navan (Meath, Ireland), and Sherburn in Elmet (Leeds). The role involves travel to UK and Irish sites, international supplier visits, and internal meetings. We offer hybrid working and are open to discussing the base location during the interview process.

Join Zertus UK&I as our Procurement Manager - Chocolate & Ingredients, leading procurement for a key category in our group. Managing a significant spend across 300 suppliers, this role focuses on sourcing chocolate and ingredients globally.

1. Lead procurement strategy for chocolate and ingredients across UK&I, demonstrating market knowledge and commercial acumen.
2. Manage a team of two (Category Buyer and Procurement Analyst), with direct responsibility for the Buyer.
3. Develop sourcing plans and build supplier relationships within the categories.
4. Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance using tools like Mintec, Power BI, and e-sourcing platforms.
5. Travel internationally for trade shows and supplier visits.
6. Collaborate with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, and NPD.
7. Participate in quarterly team events for team building and training.
8. Deputise for the Head of Procurement and contribute to group initiatives.

Qualifications and experience include proven procurement of raw materials in FMCG, a passion for chocolate and ingredients, global purchasing experience, contract law knowledge, proficiency with procurement tools, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, MCIPs qualification, strong stakeholder management skills, and people management experience. The role requires ability to travel internationally and a proactive, decisive approach.

Additional benefits include an annual bonus (up to 10%), pension scheme, healthcare plan, holiday purchase scheme, cycle and electric car salary sacrifice schemes, family-friendly policies, wellbeing initiatives, employee recognition, referral rewards, and training opportunities.

Zertus UK & Ireland comprises Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates, creating beloved snacks and chocolates. Part of the Zertus Group, headquartered in Hamburg, with over 2,000 employees across Europe.

Zertus is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Successful applicants will be contacted by our Recruitment or HR team. Please inform us of any special arrangements needed for interviews.