Senior Buyer Meat and Poultry

General Position Definition - Purpose

The Senior Buyer for Meat and Poultry is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that ensure consistent supply of high quality products at competitive costs. This role balances commercial targets with product quality, food safety, and supplier performance. In addition to procurement and supplier management, the Senior Buyer also oversees the meat facility, ensuring that processing and operational standards are aligned with organizational objectives and members' expectations.

General Position Definition - Principal Accountabilities

Category Leadership

Lead the buying function for meat and poultry, ensuring product range, pricing, and promotions are competitive and aligned with members' needs.

Supplier Management

Source, evaluate, and negotiate with local and international suppliers to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service levels.

Monitor supplier performance, addressing quality and delivery issues promptly.

Inventory and Cost Control

Collaborate with store operations and logistics to maintain optimal stock levels.

Minimize waste and overstock through accurate forecasting and ordering.

Quality Assurance

Ensure all purchased products meet organizational food safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate with quality assurance and operations teams for regular inspections and audits.

Market and Member Insight

Conduct regular market analysis to track price trends, competitor assortments, and members' preferences.

Provide data driven recommendations to improve assortment and profitability.

Cross Functional Collaboration

Work closely with store operations, supply chain, and merchandising teams to ensure timely delivery and display readiness.

Provide input to finance and marketing on cost forecasts and promotional opportunities.

General Position Definition - Special Challenges

Special Challenges

• Balancing cost efficiency with quality requirements.
• Managing fluctuating market prices of meat and poultry.
• Ensuring supplier reliability during seasonal or peak demand periods.
• Overseeing the operations of the meat facility to ensure alignment of procurement, processing, and distribution with organizational standards.

SECTION 3 – DIMENSIONS

Key Result Areas

• Procurement Performance: Achieve target margins, cost savings, and sales growth for meat and poultry category.
• Supplier Reliability: 95 percent on time and in full (OTIF) delivery rate.
• Quality Standards: 98 percent compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Inventory Management: Maintain ≤ 5 percent variance between forecasts and actual demand.
• Collaboration: Effective coordination with store operations and supply chain, ensuring no stockouts in peak periods.

Direct Reports and Working Relationships

Directly reports to the Head of Buying or Division Head.

Direct Reports: Buyers and Assistant Buyers under the meat and poultry category.

Collaborates with:

• Store Operations (to align replenishment and stock display)
• Supply Chain and Logistics (for delivery and warehousing)
• Quality Assurance (to ensure compliance with safety standards)
• Finance (for cost monitoring and budgeting)
• Meat Facility Manager (to ensure alignment between procurement, processing, and operational needs)

SECTION 4 : EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Qualifications:

• Preferably a degree in Agriculture major in Animal Science or Meat Science; degrees in Business Administration, Food Technology, or Supply Chain will also be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement or category management, preferably in meat and poultry.
• Strong knowledge of local and international meat and poultry markets.
• Understanding of food safety, handling, and quality assurance standards.
• Experience in a meat processing facility is an advantage but not required.
• Exposure to facility operations, including processing, storage, and compliance, is considered a strong asset.
• Professional certifications such as HACCP, GMP, or supply chain management credentials are preferred.

Competency:

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills with the ability to secure favorable supplier terms.
• Analytical ability for demand forecasting, cost analysis, and inventory planning.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for supplier, facility, and stakeholder management.
• Leadership skills to manage Buyers and Assistant Buyers while coordinating with the Meat Facility Manager.
• Ability to balance strategic decision making with hands on operational oversight of procurement and facility activities.
• Proficiency in procurement systems, inventory management tools, and reporting platforms.
• Strong problem solving skills to resolve supply, quality, or facility related issues promptly.