Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties.
With the most modern dairy manufacturing facilities in 6 locations on a cross border basis, the Group supplies to a broad customer base including some of the world's foremost 'blue chip' companies across the dairy food ingredients, foodservice and consumer food channels on a domestic Ireland, UK, European and global basis. Internationally we export some 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Group's Agribusiness Division (Lakeland Agri) operates a state-of-the-art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility and is a leading and innovative provider of the highest quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef, and sheep farmers across the north and south of Ireland.
Role Overview
We are seeking a strategic and results-driven
Category Buyer
to manage both
Direct and Indirect Procurement Portfolios
across the Lakeland business. This role will focus on key categories including
Raw Materials, Packaging, Chemicals, MRO, Site Requirements, and Services
, driving category strategy, cost efficiency, and supply chain resilience.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead category strategy development and implementation across the team
* Deliver cost savings and maintain supply chain security through strategic sourcing and supplier engagement.
* Attend monthly divisional meetings to present market reports and buying strategies.
* Collaborate cross-functionally to align procurement activities with business goals.
* Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities via negotiations, value engineering, and process improvements.
* Champion lean initiatives to eliminate waste and enhance procurement efficiency.
* Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to gather market intelligence and negotiate favorable terms.
* Manage supply chain risks through proactive evaluation and contingency planning.
* Validate and assess current and potential vendors to ensure optimal quality, pricing, and service.
* Monitor market trends and apply insights to inform procurement decisions.
* Drive process improvements to enhance service levels and reduce lead times.
* Negotiate contracts and commercial terms, including payment terms and service agreements.
* Research new markets, products, and processes to support innovation and sustainability.
* Compile and present monthly Commodity Market Reports.
* Utilize tools such as SAP, Qliksense, Avantis, and Keelvar to support data-driven procurement practices.
* Lead and support Procurement Improvement Projects (PIPs).
* Investigate sustainable alternatives and efficiency opportunities to reduce Lakeland's carbon footprint.
* Ensure compliance with Health & Safety standards across all Lakeland sites.
* Engage in continuous learning and development to enhance personal performance.
* Be flexible with working hours and travel to other Lakeland sites as required.
Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us