Livestock Buyer

Livestock Buyer - Central Scotland -Competitive salary (dependent on experience)& benefits package

An opportunity to use your livestock knowledge in a commercial buying role, working directly with farmers and suppliers across Scotland for an established food manufacturing business. We are looking for an experienced Livestock Buyer to join the procurement team, taking responsibility for sourcing cattle and sheep and helping ensure the right quality and quantity of livestock is available to meet production requirements.

This is a varied, supplier-facing role with a strong focus on building long-term relationships with farmers and the wider agricultural community. Previous livestock experience is essential and could come from livestock buying, farming, agricultural markets, auctioneering or another closely related background where you have developed a strong practical understanding of cattle and/or sheep.

Why this role?

If you already know the livestock industry and want to develop the commercial side of your career, this is an opportunity to combine your agricultural knowledge with procurement and relationship management.

You won’t be confined to a desk. A significant part of the role involves getting out into the agricultural community, visiting farms, speaking directly with producers and developing long-term supplier relationships.

You’ll also gain exposure to the wider food manufacturing process, developing an understanding of how livestock procurement connects with supply chain, animal welfare, production, carcass yields, customer specifications and production planning.

Joining an established procurement team, you’ll have the opportunity to build on your existing livestock knowledge while developing further commercially within a major food manufacturing environment.

What will you be doing?

You’ll take responsibility for a broad livestock procurement remit, including:

• Procuring cattle and sheep from livestock suppliers through regular farm visits and direct communication.
• Ensuring sufficient livestock is sourced to meet weekly business and production requirements.
• Negotiating commercially and helping ensure livestock is procured at the best possible value.
• Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with farmers and the wider supplier base.
• Working with farmers, livestock agents, hauliers and other suppliers to coordinate livestock deliveries.
• Ensuring livestock is sourced in accordance with relevant farm assurance requirements.
• Monitoring livestock quality, availability and wider market conditions.
• Providing livestock procurement advice and market information to management when required.
• Ensuring animal welfare legislation and company procedures are followed in relation to the safe movement and handling of livestock.
• Attending agricultural shows and other relevant industry events.

About the business

Our client is an established food manufacturing business with a significant presence across the UK.

Agriculture and livestock procurement sit at the heart of its operation, with the business working closely with farmers and suppliers to maintain a consistent supply of high-quality livestock for its customer base.

The business continues to invest in its operations and supply network, making this an opportunity to join an established procurement function where strong relationships with the agricultural community are fundamental to its success.

You’ll be joining a business that can also give you exposure beyond livestock purchasing, allowing you to develop your understanding of the wider journey from farm through to finished product.

What are they looking for?

Essential

• Previous experience within the livestock or agricultural sector, with strong practical knowledge of cattle and/or sheep. This could come from livestock buying, farming, agricultural markets, auctioneering or a closely related background.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work directly with farmers and suppliers.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in developing further within livestock procurement.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently and manage regular travel.
• Good attention to detail.
• Competent using Microsoft Office.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Previous livestock procurement or buying experience.
• Knowledge of the Scottish livestock market and supplier base.
• Existing relationships within the farming or agricultural community.
• Experience working with both cattle and sheep.
• Previous procurement, commercial or supply chain exposure within agriculture or food manufacturing.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Performance-related bonus opportunity.
• Pension scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Permanent, full-time position.
• A varied role combining livestock, agriculture, procurement and food manufacturing.
• Significant time spent working directly with farmers and suppliers rather than being purely office based.
• The opportunity to develop your commercial and procurement experience within an established food manufacturing business.
• Exposure to the wider supply chain and manufacturing process.
• The opportunity to build long-term relationships across the Scottish agricultural community.

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