Buyer

About Us:

At itsu, we're passionate about making healthy eating exciting, accessible, and affordable. As an Asian-inspired food brand, we’ve grown to over 80 restaurants across the UK and Belgium, while building a thriving grocery business that reaches customers across Europe and beyond. Known for our fresh, high-quality food prepared daily in every shop, we're on an ambitious growth journey. With plans to expand our store estate, accelerate our grocery presence, and continue investing in innovation, technology, and our people, we're shaping the future of healthy fast food.

itsu [grocery], where this role sits, extends the much-loved itsu brand beyond our shops and into supermarkets, health food retailers, online channels, wholesale partners, and international markets. Our growing product range includes customer favourites such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza and bao, brilliant'broth, rice'noodles, and miso'easy, bringing the taste and quality of itsu into homes around the world.

Joining itsu means becoming part of a fast-paced, innovative business with big ambitions, a strong culture, and a shared mission to help people eat beautifully every day.

About the role:

As a Buyer (Ambient & Frozen), you will play a key role in driving the procurement strategy and supplier performance across our ambient and frozen product categories. Working closely with Product Development, Operations, and the Head of Procurement, you'll ensure we source high-quality products, deliver strong commercial outcomes, and support the successful launch of new and existing products.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a fast-paced, growing business where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

• Lead procurement and supplier management across ambient and frozen categories.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives through effective negotiations, sourcing strategies, and market analysis.
• Support new product development by sourcing suppliers and managing end-to-end product costings.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships while ensuring compliance with sourcing and certification standards.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver procurement strategies that support business growth.
• Manage contracts, business continuity planning, and supplier performance to minimise risk and maximise value.

Whether you're an ambitious Buyer ready for your next challenge or an experienced Senior Buyer seeking a new opportunity, we encourage you to apply. We are keen to find the right individual and will align the role level accordingly based on experience and capability.

Key Role Responsibilities:

• Own procurement for ambient and frozen categories, managing supplier selection, onboarding, performance, contracts, and ongoing supplier relationships.
• Lead commercial negotiations, tenders, commodity and market analysis, and cost-saving initiatives to proactively manage COGS and mitigate cost price increases.
• Develop and implement procurement category strategies that support existing product portfolios and future growth plans.
• Work closely with the Product Development team to understand the product pipeline, source new suppliers, and support the delivery of NPD and EPD projects.
• Manage end-to-end NPD costings, maintain COGS models, and ensure accurate product master data is captured and maintained.
• Collaborate with Operations and Quality teams to ensure suppliers meet sourcing policies, certification requirements, and compliance standards.
• Own and maintain supplier documentation, including contracts, supplier handbooks, and codes of conduct, ensuring all materials remain current and relevant.
• Support business continuity planning (BCP) activities, risk mitigation initiatives, and contingency sourcing strategies across the supply base.

At itsu [grocery], we're passionate about creating healthy, innovative food products that customers love. Joining our Procurement team means becoming part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where you'll have the opportunity to shape supplier partnerships, influence commercial decisions, and support the continued growth of a globally recognised brand.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 3-5+ years' experience in Buying, Procurement, Category Management, or Product roles, ideally within FMCG, food manufacturing, retail, or consumer goods.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience managing supplier negotiations, contracts, and cost-saving initiatives.
• A track record of building and maintaining effective supplier relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience supporting product development projects, supplier sourcing, and managing complex procurement activities.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work to tight deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work cross-functionally.
• A proactive, adaptable, and collaborative approach, with a positive attitude and willingness to embrace change.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Competitive Bonus Scheme
• 25 days holiday + Bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
• Health Insurance
• Company Pension Scheme
• Hybrid Working model: This can vary by department, with some operating on a 3-day onsite/2-day WFH model and others on a 4-day onsite/1-day WFH. Opportunity to work from abroad 2 weeks of the year.
• 50% employee discount in itsu shops
• Free itsu lunch every day!
• Discounts at major retailers
• Salary sacrifice cycle and electric vehicle schemes
• Development & Growth opportunities

At itsu [grocery], everyone’s taste matters, and so does who’s behind it. We celebrate diversity and are an equal opportunities employer. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged. If you need support or adjustments to apply, we’ll happily accommodate.