Protein Buyer - County Kildare

Protein Buyer - County Kildare.

Purpose of the Role:
Our client seeks a commercially astute Protein Buyer to join a fast-paced Supply Chain team. This is a pivotal role where you will directly impact the company's competitiveness through strategic procurement, market analysis, and stakeholder engagement. You will be the bridge between suppliers and customers, ensuring optimal value while maintaining the reputation for quality and reliability.

This position demands someone who thrives under pressure, can juggle multiple priorities with tight deadlines, and possesses the confidence to present complex market data to multiple stakeholders. If you are someone who combines deep industry knowledge with exceptional analytical and communication skills, we want to hear from you.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Supplier & Stock Management-
• Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to secure competitive advantage

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure security of supply

• Manage stock positions in line with warehousing and production capacities
• Raise Purchase Orders and coordinate delivery schedules aligned with production requirements and customer demands

Strategic Procurement & Market Intelligence-
• Lead procurement strategies across multiple meat categories, optimising cost, quality, and availability
• Analyse market movements and commodity trends to inform buying and pricing strategies
• Present market intelligence and pricing recommendations to support the Sales team

• Develop and deliver presentations & reports on market conditions to both internal and external stakeholders

Cross-Functional Collaboration-
• Support other procurement & purchasing functions as business needs require

• Partner with R&D and sales teams to optimise product costs and specifications

• Collaborate with production and customer service teams to ensure seamless operations
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply chain risks and disruptions

Data Analysis & Reporting-
• Extract, analyse, and collate data from multiple sources to create actionable insights

• Produce comprehensive reports on stocks, purchasing requirements, supplier performance, cost analysis, and market opportunities
• Utilize Excel, Microsoft Dynamics, PowerBi, and other analytical tools to drive data-informed decisions.

Interested applicants should have:
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis, modelling, and reporting.
• Proficiency in creating and delivering professional PowerPoint presentations.

• Experience with ERP systems.
• Strong analytical abilities with demonstrated forecasting experience.

• Sharp commercial acumen with the ability to think strategically.
• Confident communicator who can articulate complex data clearly.
• Can-do attitude with proven ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.

• Exceptional organisational skills with ability to manage tight deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable with strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Problem-solving skills – demonstrated ability in the use of scientific methodology to problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to fully realise improvement initiatives.

• Demonstrated successes in a team environment.

• Ideally a Bachelor's degree in a Supply Chain, Purchasing, Business, or Food Production field, or similar. 
• Proven track record in meat industry buying or sales roles
• Deep understanding of meat markets, pricing dynamics, and quality specifications

• Experience presenting to and negotiating with senior stakeholders.