AVE (Added Value Enterprises)
Buyer
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Buyer
At AVE, our Buyers own the sourcing strategy that keeps our education, hospitality and care clients supplied with the right products, at the right cost, from the right suppliers. This role takes full ownership of a category portfolio - from market analysis and supplier negotiation through to contract management and risk - working closely with Marketing, QHSE, Operations and Food Teams to deliver a joined-up offer to our clients.
The Role
As a Buyer at AVE, you'll own the end-to-end sourcing strategy for your category within the education, hospitality and care sectors. You'll balance cost, quality, sustainability and compliance, building strong supplier relationships and using market insight to keep AVE and its clients ahead of the curve.
You'll achieve this by:
- Developing and executing category sourcing strategies that reflect sector-specific needs, balancing quality, cost and sustainability
- Identifying cost-saving opportunities and implementing efficient procurement processes without compromising quality or service delivery
- Identifying, evaluating and onboarding suppliers, then negotiating contracts and terms that meet sector-specific and regulatory requirements
- Owning the supplier relationship: conducting regular business reviews, managing performance, accreditation and ROI, and driving corrective action where required
- Conducting market analysis and research to track sector trends, pricing, innovation and regulatory change, and adapting strategy accordingly
- Maintaining accurate category and supplier data, managing client approved product lists, and championing system and data improvements
- Owning supplier due diligence and risk management, ensuring robust processes are in place and risks are reported and tracked
- Managing category budgets, income and discounts, and providing commercial recommendations to support wider business planning
- Working cross-functionally with Marketing, QHSE, Operations and Food Teams to deliver a consistent client offer
Your Skills:
We're looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in category management, strategic sourcing or procurement, ideally across education, hospitality, care or another multi-site regulated sector
- Commercially astute, with a track record of delivering quantifiable cost savings and managing budgets or income targets
- A confident negotiator, comfortable owning supplier contracts and relationships end-to-end
- Analytical, with the ability to translate market and performance data into clear commercial recommendations
- Comfortable managing risk and supplier due diligence, including commercial, food safety and contractual requirements
- A strong collaborator, able to work across teams and communicate confidently at all levels
- Organised and self-motivated, able to manage a varied workload and shifting priorities
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What We Offer:
- Start date: October 2026
- Work-life balance: Primarily office-based, with occasional opportunities for home working and flexible working arrangements.
- Annual Leave: 25 days holiday excluding bank holidays
- Health & Wellbeing: Private Healthcare scheme
- Pension Scheme with employer contribution
- Reward & Recognition: Access to our new and exciting Thrive award scheme
- Professional Development:
- Access to our companies Learning & Development portal
Measurement Matrix:
Success in the Buyer role will be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics, ensuring a comprehensive view of performance and client impact:
Strategic Sourcing
- Cost savings quantified and reported against strategic sourcing initiatives and process improvements
- Procurement cycle times and efficiency metrics
Supplier Engagement and Relationship Management
- Contract due diligence adherence and "Buying Calendar" task management
- Supplier contract compliance and effectiveness of corrective action plans
- Supplier engagement feedback and key performance metrics (material variance, lead times, stock levels)
Market Analysis and Research
- Innovation impact: new products/services introduced based on research findings
- Competitiveness maintained through adoption of market trends and emerging technology
Systems Engagement and Data Management
- Data availability and engagement rates across standard systems
- Accuracy of Approved Product List (APL) management: additions, deletions, seasonal and client requirements
- Supplier due diligence adherence and risk mitigation effectiveness, including timeliness of risk reporting
- SLA adherence, performance tracking, issue resolution and process improvement
Budget and Financial
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- Review of financial plans and forecasts, with regular commercial updates
- Management of 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier income, and identification of income gaps
Team Collaboration
- Identification and resourcing of additional support where needed to deliver projects
- Adherence to company processes, team cover during absence, and team/personal feedback
Customer Feedback
Our Commitment to Diversity
Added Value Enterprises is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of background, identity, or experience.
JOB ADVERT🚀 We're Hiring | Buyer
Want to own your category—not just manage it?
We're looking for a commercially driven Buyer to join the Procurement team at Added Value Enterprises (AVE).
This is an opportunity to take full ownership of your category, build strategic supplier partnerships and deliver real commercial value across education, hospitality and healthcare.
You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, influence strategy and work with some of the biggest suppliers in the foodservice industry.
You'll be responsible for:
- ✅ Developing category strategies
- ✅ Negotiating supplier contracts
- ✅ Driving cost savings and commercial improvements
- ✅ Managing supplier performance
- ✅ Identifying market trends and innovation
- ✅ Working cross-functionally to deliver exceptional client outcomes
We're looking for someone who enjoys negotiating, building relationships and making commercial decisions backed by data.
Why join AVE?
We're growing—and procurement is central to that growth.
You'll be joining a collaborative, ambitious team where you'll have genuine ownership, the freedom to challenge the status quo and the opportunity to influence the future of our business.
We offer:
- ✔ Competitive Salary
- ✔ Private Healthcare
- ✔ Pension Scheme
- ✔ 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- ✔ Thrive Employee Recognition Programme
- ✔ Ongoing professional development
- ✔ Flexible working opportunities
If you're ready to take the next step in your procurement career and want a role where you can genuinely make an impact—we'd love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.
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