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Junior Buyer

Natoora
Bermondsey, London

Posted: 3 Apr 2024

Deadline: 5 May 2024

Compensation: Depending On Experience

Paid Full-time Permanent

Job description

ABOUT NATOORA

Natoora started close to 20 years ago with a very simple, yet powerful goal to find incredible flavour in fresh produce. Today, our dedication to this mission has grown into an impactful network of over 500 independent growers spanning nine sourcing hubs across three continents. Our mission is clear: to fix the food system at scale by reinstating flavour, nutrition and transparency, all while safeguarding the health of our soils. Experts in sourcing flavour-first, seasonal fruits and vegetables, we work with hundreds of kitchens and some of the most exciting and influential chefs in London, New York, Miami, Copenhagen, Paris, and Melbourne. However, our commitment to creating a better food system also extends beyond professional kitchens to a strong community of home consumers across the US and the UK. From chefs, to home cooks to schoolchildren, we want to empower everyone to make better food choices and become informed drivers of change. Our sourcing efforts also go well beyond fresh produce, tackling multiple facets of the food system at once — from restoring the value of whole grains through bread with our own mill and bakery, Alma, to farming produce directly at Great Fen Farm, and crafting our own range of seasonal dips, soups, and sauces in our Bermondsey kitchen. Whether we’re partnering with independent producers on flavour-first dry goods or developing recipes rooted in our seasonal fresh produce, everything we do is founded on the same principles of seasonality, quality and integrity whilst steadfastly embracing scalability as a source of impact. On the way, we have been named a Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Company, appeared on the Financial Times’ list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, and proudly received a GQ Food & Drinks Sustainability Award.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a bright, mission-oriented Junior Buyer to join our team. You’ll be adding your own passion and experience to a team with an unparalleled knowledge of fruits, vegetables, and specialty produce - united in its commitment to building a new supply chain.

Grounded in at least 1 year's worth of experience in the fresh food industry, you’ll have a keen eye for consumer trends and bring new ideas to our food system revolution.

We have spent over fifteen years building our own supply chain, uniting over 400 growers and producers across Europe. You will take on a fundamental role in that sourcing and purchasing process, ensuring its ongoing efficiency and success. Thinking outside the box, you will reduce non-conformities and read deep into our live data to increase availability across the range. You’ll be an excellent communicator, bringing a dynamic energy to our tight-knit team. You’ll be confident in juggling several projects at once and thrive when no two days are the same. Willing to get stuck in, always looking to go beyond what you already know. Most importantly, you’ll be driven by a genuine commitment to change the way food is being farmed & supplied.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take charge of a range of products including fruit & veg, cheese and charcuterie lines making sure products are ordered and received on time.
• Working principally but not exclusively with Italian suppliers.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to identify and resolve supply chain issues.
• Work closely with our sourcing teams, particularly in Italy & France to make sure we are buying the best available produce at its peak.
• Nurture relationships with suppliers & growers with the aim of developing long-term relationships that will help to continually deliver high-quality produce.
• Monitor stock levels, and approve invoices / prices.

ABOUT YOU

• Fluent Italian and English are essential. French and Spanish are also useful.
• Some experience as food buyer is preferable.
• Value honesty and teamwork above individual achievements.
• Excellent communication & planning skills.
• Plenty of initiative and ability to work unsupervised.
• Confident in the use of Excel, databases and other Tech programmes.
• Remain calm under pressure and use reasoned judgment to make quick, solid decisions.

PERKS

• Daily lunch made with the same seasonal produce we supply to chefs
• Natoora produce at a significant discount
• Your birthday off (once you've hit the 6-month mark)
• Kitchen stocked from our own growers and producers - including Estate Dairy milk and butter, jam from England Preserves as well as coffee from our Spa Terminus neighbours Monmouth

Our vision for a better food system is built on real human relationships and a diversity of experience, perspective and ideas. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Application information

Email sama@natoora.co.uk your CV and tell us why you want to join the team.

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