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 fee's covered; Healthcare cash plan; 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holiday's; Hybrid working 

Location: We have manufacturing sites and offices across the UK & Ireland, including Heckington (Lincolnshire), Bromborough (Wirral) Fakenham (Norfolk), Hull (East Yorkhire), Navan (Meath, Ireland) and Sherburn in Elmet (Leeds). While the role involves travel to our UK and Irish sites, as well as international supplier visits and internal meetings, we welcome hybrid working and are happy to discuss base location during the interview process. 

Join Zertus UK&I as our new Procurement Manager – Chocolate & Ingredients, where you’ll lead procurement for one of the most exciting and high-impact categories in our group. Managing a significant spend across 300 suppliers, this role is central to sourcing the chocolate and ingredients from across the globe.

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

• Proven experience in the procurement of raw materials within an FMCG environment.
• A passion for chocolate and ingredients with a strategic mindset.
• Global Purchasing, commodity and category management experience.
• Contract law exposure.
• Experience with procurement tools and data platforms (Mintec, Power BI, e-sourcing)
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• MCIPs Qualified.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and manage stakeholders at all levels.
• Decisive with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent supplier negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
• People management experience with the ability to inspire and develop other procurement professionals.

• Hybrid working (a great combo of time to collaborate with stakeholders and quiet time away from the hussle and bustle).
• Annual bonus of up to 10% - subject to meeting scheme criteria (because who doesn’t love a bonus).
• Pension (4% Employer Contributions) & Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary. 
• Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (physio, dental, optical care…because your wellbeing is important to us).
• Holiday Purchase Salary Sacrifice Scheme – buy up to one extra week per year (subject to meeting minimum criteria). 
• Cycle to Work & Electrical Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme - subject to meeting minimum criteria (because the environment is important to us).
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working opportunities and Maternity and Paternity leave above statutory minimum (because family time is important).
• Annual engagement calendar, volunteering days and wellbeing events. 
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’. 
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
• Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional membership fee's).

Zertus UK & Ireland brings together Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates – three brilliant businesses crafting snacks and chocolates that people love. From brands like Lir Chocolates, Kinnerton Kids, NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, and The Fruit Factory, to exciting collaborations with Bailey’s, Guinness, and Budweiser, we’re all about creating products that delight. We’re part of the Zertus Group, a European network headquartered in Hamburg, with over 2,000 colleagues across the continent.