This opportunity offers real commercial exposure, meaningful autonomy, and the chance to shape category performance during an exciting period of growth.
So, what's the role?
As Senior Buyer, you'll take ownership of a strategically important supplier portfolio worth circa £30m, accounting for over 50% of total business revenue. You'll work closely with the Head of Buying and senior stakeholders to optimise supplier terms, improve margin performance and support sustained commercial growth.
This role goes beyond day-to-day buying — you'll actively review, refine and enhance buying frameworks, supplier strategies and commercial processes.
Commercial scope & autonomy
- Pricing decisions managed by buyers, aligned to agreed category margin targets
- Supplier rebates and agreements negotiated by the buying team, with final sign-off from the Head of Buying
- Existing buying frameworks are in place, with clear scope to reshape and improve them
- Supplier terms reviewed annually, with ongoing negotiations throughout the year
- Strengthening supplier rebate structures and commercial terms
- Driving category growth, margin and sales performance
- Building strong, trusted relationships with key pharma suppliers
- Supporting and developing the wider buying team
- Delivering measurable improvements across commercial KPIs
- Partnering with the Head of Buying to influence commercial and category strategy
- Creating and delivering an annual category plan with your team
- Owning KPIs including sales growth, margin performance and supplier terms
- Managing and developing supplier performance within a regulated environment
- Negotiating supplier agreements and joint business plans
- Analysing complex commercial and pricing data to identify opportunities
- Conducting market, pricing and competitor reviews
- Working closely with Supply Chain to ensure product availability
- Collaborating cross-functionally with Marketing, Finance and senior leadership
- Supporting, mentoring and guiding the buying team to drive performance
To be considered for this role, candidates must have:
- 5+ years' buying experience within animal health, veterinary pharmaceuticals, or a regulated pharma environment
- Strong understanding of pharma supplier models, pricing structures, rebates and commercial agreements
- Proven experience negotiating with top-tier pharma suppliers
- Excellent commercial acumen with a clear grasp of margin, pricing and profitability
- Confidence analysing complex datasets and financial models
- Experience working cross-functionally within a regulated business
- Exposure to online, omnichannel or retail-led pharma distribution
- Some people leadership, mentoring or team development experience
- Experience managing high-value, strategically critical supplier portfolios
This is a collaborative, fast-moving environment where adaptable, positive people thrive. The business values expertise, curiosity and continuous improvement, and there is genuine scope to influence how things are done.
While progression is linked to business growth and structure, this role offers long-term development, visibility and strategic influence.
The important bit
- Salary: £55k+ DOE
- Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
- Working pattern: Monday to Friday
- Location: South Bedfordshire
- Hybrid working: 2-3 days in-office during onboarding, moving to 1 day per week thereafter (with flexibility as required)
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
- Healthcare scheme for you and your family
- Life insurance
- Employer pension contribution
- Free on-site parking
- Staff discounts across a wide product range
- Supportive, people-first culture
