Junior Buyer

Junior Sourcing Specialist - Food Location: West London - 2 days per week (with occasional UK travel) Package: up to £45,000 base salary + Benefits About the Opportunity I am working with a catering client who is looking for a commercially minded Junior Sourcing Specialist to join a fast-paced food procurement team supporting a large-scale catering and food operation. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their procurement career within a complex and dynamic environment. You'll take ownership of selected food categories, work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, and play a key role in driving value, innovation, quality, and service across the supply chain. What You'll Be Doing

• Support the delivery of procurement and category strategies across key food categories
• Manage supplier relationships and drive performance through KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead sourcing activities including tenders, supplier negotiations, and contract management
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels, and optimise supplier performance
• Work closely with stakeholders across culinary, commercial, sales, compliance, and operational teams
• Monitor market trends and supplier developments to support strategic decision-making
• Utilise eSourcing and procurement technology to deliver best-practice sourcing processes
• Support product and menu development through sourcing, pricing, and supplier engagement What They Are Looking For:
• Experience in procurement, sourcing, category management, or supply chain, ideally within food, FMCG, hospitality, catering, or manufacturing
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment
• Proactive, organised, and eager to learn Nice to Have:
• Experience using eProcurement or eSourcing platforms
• CIPS qualification (or currently working towards one)
• Exposure to supplier performance management and contract negotiation What's in It for You?
• Exposure to strategic sourcing and category management
• Opportunity to work with a broad supplier network and key stakeholders
• A supportive environment where you can develop your procurement expertise
• Clear career progression within a growing procurement function
• The chance to make a tangible commercial impact from day one This role would suit an ambitious procurement professional who enjoys building supplier relationships, influencing stakeholders, and delivering value through effective sourcing and category management.