Assistant Procurement Manager

Purpose of the Role

The Assistant Procurement Manager will support the end-to-end procurement function for Nasty Cookie, ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and uninterrupted supply of ingredients, packaging materials, equipment, and operational supplies.

The role requires someone who is hands-on in execution while able to see procurement from a broader business and management perspective. The successful candidate should be able to understand management priorities, identify issues and opportunities, make practical recommendations, and drive procurement activities through to completion.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Support the end-to-end procurement of food ingredients, packaging materials, consumables, equipment, and indirect purchases.
• Source, evaluate, and onboard suitable suppliers while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Assist in negotiating pricing, payment terms, and commercial agreements to achieve cost savings and favourable terms.
• Monitor supplier performance in areas such as pricing, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Identify alternative suppliers and support contingency sourcing plans to minimise supply disruptions.

Cost Management & Commercial Support

• Support cost optimisation initiatives without compromising product quality or operational requirements.
• Monitor pricing trends and highlight significant cost movements or potential savings opportunities.
• Work closely with management on food costs, packaging costs, product costing, and procurement budgets.
• Support management with procurement data, cost analysis, and practical recommendations.

Inventory Planning & Supply Chain

• Work closely with Operations, Production, and other teams, to plan purchasing requirements based on business demand and sales trends.
• Monitor inventory levels to minimise stock shortages, excess inventory, and wastage.
• Coordinate supplier deliveries, inbound logistics, imports, and customs processes where applicable.

Management Support & Execution

• Understand management priorities and translate them into clear and actionable procurement plans.
• Take ownership of assigned procurement initiatives and ensure proper follow-through from planning to execution.
• Identify procurement issues, supply risks, and process gaps, and proactively recommend practical solutions.
• Provide timely updates and escalate key issues to the Procurement Manager or Management when necessary.
• Balance day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term procurement planning.
• Support the implementation of new processes, systems, and procurement improvements.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgement while remaining aligned with the Company's overall objectives.

Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier information, pricing databases, contracts, and purchase documentation.
• Prepare regular reports on procurement spend, supplier performance, cost savings, inventory trends, and purchasing activities.
• Utilise ERP and procurement systems to improve purchasing efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and operational efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support new product launches by ensuring ingredients, packaging, equipment, and other requirements are sourced within the required timelines.
• Support business initiatives, new store openings, expansion plans, and other operational requirements.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience within the Food & Beverage, QSR, Bakery, Café, Food Manufacturing, or FMCG industry.
• Experience managing procurement for multi-outlet retail operations and central kitchen environments.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiations, contract management, strategic sourcing, and cost optimization.
• Experience sourcing food ingredients, packaging materials, and operational supplies.
• Exposure to import procurement, customs processes, and international sourcing is an advantage.
• Experience using ERP or procurement management systems.