Graduate Purchasing Executive

This exciting opportunity could see you working in our Purchasing Team within our Manufacturing Division.

We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Graduate Purchasing Executive to join our procurement team in the food manufacturing industry.

You will have a love for food and a keen interest in sourcing the best ingredients and materials to ensure the highest quality products.

This role involves supporting the purchasing department in sourcing, negotiating, and managing the supply of raw materials and packaging to ensure the smooth operation of our production processes.

You'll liaise closely with colleagues in Sustainability, Product Development and Category to ensure the materials you find help us meet shared goals. 

apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

• Food Enthusiasm : Leverage your passion for food to source high quality ingredients and stay informed about the latest culinary trends and innovation 
• Sustainability : Support the sustainability objectives of the business in the purchase of ingredients and packaging 
• Supplier management : Assist in identifying and evaluating potential new suppliers to deliver food and process innovation 
• Procurement Process : Support the purchasing team in the preparation and control of contracts and other procurement documents
• Cost management : Monitor and analyse market trends to identify cost saving opportunities and negotiate favourable terms with suppliers.
• Data Management : Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing and supplier performance generating reports as needed
• Compliance : Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, industry regulations and ethical standards
• Collaboration: successful delivery to meet briefs set by the business units.

Essential 

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Food Science or a related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft office, good computer literacy knowledge
• Strong analytical skills, able to interpret data confidently
• Great communicator with strong listening skills
• Ability to build relationships with a diverse team of people
• A passion for food and interest in culinary trends
• Presentation skills
• Valid UK driving license

Desirable

• Previous experience in a food related role 
• Research skills

Personal Qualities

• Creative, willing to challenge the status quo
• Inquisitive mindset
• Detail orientated
• A team player, able to work in a high performing fast paced environment
• Confident and outgoing

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.
Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.