Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

About us

SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, with c.42,000 colleagues in over 600 locations across 37 countries. We operate sit-down and quick service restaurants, cafes, lounges and food-led convenience stores, principally in airports and train stations, with a portfolio of around 550 international, national and local brands.

These include our own brands Upper Crust, Millies Cookies etc. as well as franchise brands such as M&S, Starbucks and Burger King.

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and this is underpinned by our aim to bring leading brands and innovative concepts to our clients and customers around the world, with an emphasis on great value, taste, quality and service.

Main Purpose of Job

• Be responsible for managing specific suppliers and key product categories across Food & Beverages, and managing these suppliers from end to end to support SSP brands.

• Buyer should focus on driving profit performance by negotiating improved and sustainable commercial terms and managing cost inflation, with supply partners which meets brand and operational requirements utilising the best commercial and most efficient route to market.

• Objectives include, (1) cost based reductions on overall cost of goods (inflation) (2) new and incremental supplier investment (3) sustainable supplier management, (4) delivering and implementing change where necessary (5) supplier selection processes, and (6) CSR

The role also needs to work closely with Commercial, NPD, Operations, Finance teams to ensure effective implementation and communication of activities

What You’ll Be Doing

• Negotiating new and improved terms with suppliers
• Creating, documenting, detailing and tracking all supplier trading terms
• Improving supplier investment / returns (central income)
• Utilising market / commodity intelligence to deliver new and improved terms
• Seamless transition of any new or improved agreements
• Rationalisation & consolidation of terms / suppliers / products
• Communicating cross functionally especially with Marketing/NPD and Operations
• Supporting & managing Product / Promotional launches on time
• Influencing decision making on range reviews / menus to best commercial deal
• Identifying new commercial opportunities & recommending to internal teams
• Presenting to senior management for approval and implementation
• Managing, maintaining and selecting suppliers and their contract database
• Annual audit of processes and income

Key Measurables

• Value Creation Plan (VCP) vs targets on specific categories / suppliers
• Managing cost of goods inflation basket and identifying new opportunities
• Delivering budget
• Maintaining and improving current supplier terms
• Contract data management and timings
• Supporting new concepts / projects
• Supporting new menu’s / seasonal promotions to launch on time

Key Working Relationships

• External - Suppliers / Distributors
• Operations
• Marketing/Brand Team
• NPD (New Product Development)
• H&S / Technical

To be successful in this role you will need:

Essential:

• 2-3 years minimum F&B buying experience within a large food retailer
• Good analytical skills including cost / benefit analysis
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels including senior management
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver to specific deadlines
• Good Negotiating and Influencing skills
• Excellent oral and written skills

Desirable:

• Contract management knowledge
• Category Management principles and customer insight experience
• Supplier Quality Assurance including food safety, due diligence, accreditation etc
• Payment terms and working capital implementation
• Project implementation
• Tender evaluation and score carding
• Degree level required – preferable in business / commerce

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at SSP. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to engaging all of our people, so they feel valued and motivated; we champion diversity, promote inclusion, and ensure equality. We respect and protect human rights and prevent discrimination; and we positively impact our communities. We encourage and welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual identity and orientation or age.