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…