Procurement Manager – Ingredients

Procurement Manager – Ingredients

About Nichols

We're Nichols - the home of Vimto, and there is no other business quite like ours!

We have been making life taste better since 1908. Every day here is bursting with flavour – from the loved brands we’re proud to share with the world, to the energy, ambition and innovative ideas that fizz through our teams.

As well as our refreshingly different Vimto taste, our varied brand portfolio spans the still, carbonated, post-mix and frozen drinks categories – so you will find us in your local supermarket, pub and leisure outlet. We also work with the UK’s leading food manufacturers to provide a truly unique range of products that everyone loves.

At the heart of everything is our rich family heritage, an unrelenting ambition to keep innovating, and a true pride in who we are. This is a place where you can be yourself, speak up, and get stuck in. We celebrate the wins, cheer each other on and keep things fizzing with positivity. From leaders who listen to teammates who’ve always got your back, its work that feels as good as it tastes!

We take a refreshingly agile approach to how we work, combining the energy of being together in the office with the flexibility of working from home. You’ll be office-based three days a week, with core hours designed to help you balance work and home life.

Nichols is where serious fun meets real opportunities – and where work tastes better.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This role is a key ingredient in the Nichols procurement recipe. As Ingredients Procurement Manager, you’ll take the lead on sourcing the essential components that make our drinks taste great, from sugar and fruit juices to flavours and colours; as well as playing a crucial role in our innovation pipeline.

With a spend of around £30 million, you’ll be balancing cost, quality, service, and sustainability to achieve lowest total cost of ownership and a resilient, future-fit supply chain.

THE ROLE WILL INCLUDE

• Budgeting Brilliance – Own the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting for ingredient spend across our in-house and co-manufacturing network.
• Sourcing with Purpose – Ensure every ingredient is responsibly sourced, aligned with our Happier Future strategy and identify opportunities for Nichols to reduce its impact on the planet.
• Category Strategy Chef – Cook up smart, forward-thinking strategies for key ingredients, and bring them to life with cross-functional teams.
• Supplier Success Partner – Build strong, productive relationships with suppliers. Run regular reviews, set clear expectations, and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaboration Champion – Work closely with co-manufacturer procurement teams to align sourcing strategies and unlock shared value.
• Data-Driven Decision Maker – Use procurement systems and e-tools to track performance, monitor trends, and show how procurement is adding real value.
• Go-To Ingredient Expert – Be the trusted advisor for all things ingredients—supporting NPD, Technical, and Commercial teams with insights, innovation, and cost-saving ideas.
• Risk Radar On – Spot and mitigate risks before they become issues—whether it’s supply disruption, price volatility, or sustainability challenges.
• Problem Solver with Purpose – Tackle challenges with fairness, integrity, and a long-term mindset that protects Nichols and our partners.

ABOUT YOU…

To make a splash in this role you will bring….

• Proven Experience – At least 3 years of hands-on procurement experience in a fast-paced FMCG environment, with a strong focus on directs.
• Commercial Acumen – You understand markets, cost drivers, and supplier dynamics—and you use that insight to make smart, data-led decisions.
• Negotiation Mastery – You’re confident, prepared, and persuasive—able to secure the best outcomes while building strong, sustainable partnerships.
• Analytical Agility – You’re comfortable with complexity and love turning data into actionable insights that inform strategy and performance.
• Collaboration & Influence – You work brilliantly across teams and functions, bringing people together to deliver shared success.
• Innovation Mindset – You’re always looking for new ways to improve, whether it’s unlocking supplier-led innovation or finding smarter sourcing solutions.
• Resilience & Adaptability – You stay calm and focused in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment—and help others do the same.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US

No matter where you work in our business you will be entitled to a range of amazing benefits, here is a snapshot of what we can offer you:

• 25 days holiday (with opportunity to buy extra every year)
• Annual Bonus
• Save as you Earn Share Scheme
• Option to join our private medical cover scheme
• Enhanced Primary Carers leave and sick pay

AND LET’S NOT FORGET THE PERKS…

We are also proud to offer

• Holiday home stay
• Your birthday off work
• Free on site parking
• 1 day a year off work to volunteer in the community (you choose when and where)
• Help yourself to our drinks when at one of our sites
• Staff shop with discounts on our products

Apply now if you want a taste of a new career and join Nichols - Where work tastes better.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe diverse teams perform at their best, and we welcome people with different backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking.

Our standard recruitment process for short-listed candidates typically includes an initial call with our Talent Advisor, followed by a first stage interview via Microsoft Teams and second stage interviews face to face. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process please feel free to contact us.

We understand that many candidates use AI tools to help prepare applications. You're welcome to use these tools to improve spelling, grammar or structure, but your application must accurately reflect your own skills, experience and achievements.

Any job offer is subject to an individual’s Right to Work in the UK.

Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.