Group Purchasing Manager

At VetPlus, we believe that every pet deserves the best possible care. That’s why, for over 30 years, we have been dedicated to developing high-quality veterinary nutraceuticals that support pet health and wellbeing. As part of the Tangerine Group, we are The Global Leader in veterinary nutraceuticals, delivering innovative solutions to vets in over 50 countries worldwide, with seven wholly owned subsidiaries. Our success is built on strong relationships, exceptional service, and an ongoing commitment to excellence which continues to drive double digit growth and exceptional operating margins.

About The Role

We’re looking for a strategic, proactive Purchasing Manager to take ownership of our end‑to‑end purchasing function and play a key role in supporting our continued growth. You will be working closely with Production, Warehouse, R&D, Finance, and Quality teams. Driving an effective purchasing strategy, you will strengthening supplier relationships, ensuring we deliver the best product at the best value, every time. You will be responsible for a £15m spend across direct categories with over 200 raw materials and 2000 packaging SKU’s globally sourced.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone highly analytical, commercially savvy, and passionate about building a best‑in‑class procurement operation in a rapidly growing business.

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead Our Purchasing Strategy

• Develop and deliver a purchasing strategy aligned to business growth plans.
• Create an annual purchasing plan optimising direct and indirect spend balancing quality, cost, and lead times.
• Build strong strategic supplier relationships, ensuring at least two approved suppliers for every product to minimise risk.

• Oversee the purchase order process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with SOPs.
• Ensure new suppliers are selected, vetted and set up correctly.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, MOQs, and wider conditions to secure best‑value agreements.
• Maintain contracts for all key suppliers and ensure compliance with company terms and conditions.

• Work with R&D on new product development to source raw materials effectively and ensure continuity of supply.
• Deliver year‑on‑year improvements on KPIs including invoice disputes, supplier defect rates, purchase price variance, and procurement ROI.
• Support capital project development through robust sourcing and negotiation.

• Manage stock levels to maximise cash and optimise working capital.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure efficient delivery of raw materials and packaging, avoiding disruptions to manufacturing.
• Lead ongoing price reduction initiatives and improve supplier terms, including extending payment terms and securing delivered pricing.
• Develop and maintain effective “Just in Time” programmes with major suppliers.

• Attend conferences, trade shows and supplier meetings to identify new partners and opportunities.
• Produce reporting and analytics for senior management.
• Occasionally visit suppliers and other company sites as needed.

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar purchasing or procurement role.
• Strong knowledge of Sage Line 200.
• Excellent communication, relationship‑building and negotiation skills.
• Highly organised with brilliant time‑management.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

• A degree in Business or Management.
• CIPS qualification (or studying towards it).

• Quick learner with a proactive approach.
• Self‑motivated and adaptable.
• Enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethic.
• Committed to integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

You’ll play a central role in shaping our purchasing strategy and supplier network at a time of exciting growth. This is a high‑impact position where your ideas and decisions genuinely make a difference across the entire business.