Buying raw materials is a particularly important job for a food or beverage company and can make all the difference to its overall profitability. What to buy? How much? Where from? What’s a good price? You make the decisions.

This job could involve travel. You will buy goods, ingredients, raw materials, machinery, packaging and services for your company. You’ll check the quality of produce or ingredients, identify cost saving opportunities and select the best suppliers for your company’s requirements.

You could be monitoring sourcing trends and developments in the broader supply market, tracking global commodity and raw materials prices and evaluating the benefits of imported ingredients and local produce.

You will need to manage relationships with key suppliers, have excellent negotiation skills and be good with numbers.