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careers at innocent

Contract Manufacturing Buyer

location:

Fruit Towers - London, The Blender - Rotterdam

team:

Supply Chain
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Here at innocent, we’re on a mission to make it easier for everyone to get more fruit and veg into their bodies. We started back in 1999 and since then we’ve gone from selling a few smoothies at a music festival to becoming one of Europe’s biggest drinks companies with around 1,000 people (and the B Corp seal of approval).

It’s nice to be able to say things like that but we’re not patting ourselves on the back just yet. We want to show everyone that it’s possible to be a successful business while looking after people and the planet too, so we’re trying to get better in pretty much every way. And that’s where this job comes in.

what you'll be doing

We’ve built our first ever innocent-owned factory, called ‘the blender’, however this role is working with our contract manufacturing suppliers to deliver everything we produce outside of our factory. We are on a really exciting mission. We want to deliver a roadmap of key exciting innovation which continues to take our brand to ‘more places’ and deliver more delicious fruit and veg to people in their diets by 2030. The capabilities we’re looking for often sit outside of our factory whether this be in packaging or product, it’s your job to find the best suppliers that fit in with our mission.


As Contract Manufacturing Buyer, you will either be based at the Blender or our head office in London, you will create your own magic by designing category strategies to select the right suppliers for our lovely NPD projects & existing portfolio of products. You will be conducting negotiations for key contracts, and building strong relationships to deliver great solutions from concept to delivery. You will be also able to demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by working cross-functionally with our extended supply-chain team and also the wider business with key interaction across marketing, project management and R&D teams based in the ‘the blender’ & London. The focus of this job is on the procurement of international partners who are able to deliver on our expectations bringing great products to market.

you'll have

  • Solid experience in contract manufacturing buying/sourcing.
  • Experience in Supply Chain.
  • Experience in New Product Development (NPD) Procurement – from concept to delivery 
  • Negotiation is a second nature for you. You go out and push to get the best deal.
  • Strong numerate and analytical skills – we work with lots of numbers and ensuring they’re correct is key.
  • You need to have the ability to work through ambiguity whilst under pressure – you’ll be able to simplify ambiguous situations to solve problems. So, having a logical approach, whilst keeping the ‘bigger picture’ in mind, is a must.
  • The ability to lead and influence stakeholders at all levels – you’ll need to be able to bring people on the journey with you, to ensure excellence management of suppliers and execution of our strategy and contracts.
  • Excellent relationship building skills - we can’t do a great job without building strong relationships, so you need to be more honey than lemon when it comes to people.
  • You will be based in Holland or London, but in close relationship with our HQ; you will also work and select a wide variety of suppliers, either local or global. Therefore, you need to be able to communicate effectively English.
  • Strong communication - you’ll sometimes have to deliver difficult messages, so being clear and professional is essential.

you'll get

  • A chance to be part of an amazing brand.
  • A chance to influence the strategic direction for your bit.
  • Be part of a superb procurement team. 
  • Turning ideas into reality and the ability to see your impact on the business and consumers.
  • Work within the Coca-Cola system.

We want innocent to be a great place to work, so we do lots of stuff to make people feel at home and try to make sure everyone’s career is shaping up the way they want it to. There are plenty of opportunities to have a go at something new or take things further.


In exchange for helping us do business in the right way, you’ll get a solid rewards package that includes a salary (phew), private healthcare, a target-based bonus, and a bunch of other nice things like a day off on your birthday. And yes, you get free smoothies.


We also know that not all our drinkers come from the same background, or think the same – so why should we? At innocent, we want to be a great place to work where a diverse bunch of people from all backgrounds can turn up and thrive. When we hire, we want all the juice, bits, and pulp that make you who you are.


Even if you don’t think you can tick all the boxes, if the job sounds right for you, come and throw your hat in the ring.


Probably best to get your skates on though, as we might close this early if we get loads of applications.

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