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    4. Procurement Graduate 2025
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    Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

    At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

    Culture

    Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

    Equal opportunities

    The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

    Benefits

    In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

    At Dale Farm, we believe our success is built on our people and we are now looking to recruit the following position based in our Head Office on Dargan Road, Belfast;

    Procurement graduate

    A graduate placement in Dale Farm Group Procurement Function is an excellent opportunity to experience working across a broad range of procurement skills in one of Northern Ireland’s leading dairy manufacturing companies. Our procurement function looks after the key categories of packaging, ingredients and services.

    Job purpose

    • The procurement graduate will manage a category segment within procurement.
    • Under the guidance of a Category Manager the graduate role is responsible
    • for the development and execution of strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier
    • relationships and contract management.

    The procurement graduate will work with the Group Packaging Technologist to support development of Dale Farm packaging requirements with a focus upon delivery of sustainability targets and management of packaging change projects including leading of packaging related trials. To support development the procurement graduated will be sponsored to achieve a Diploma in Packaging Technology or an alternative Packaging course.

    Key responsibilities

    You will be tasked to be involved in the following activities:

    • Manage sourcing initiatives to maximise value whilst effectively manage risk for the category.
    • Develop category cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and performance standards.
    • Negotiate contracts, KPIs inclusive of sustainability targets and other terms with Suppliers.
    • Work with internal stakeholders to develop and implement procurement strategies that meet business needs.
    • Understand market trends to drive category strategy and inform the business.
    • Communicate monthly update on category performance to established KPIs.
    • Manage packaging specification templates to ensure specification are updated in accordance with legislation requirement to support Dale Farm compliance obligations.
    • Be responsible for completion of customer specification returns/questionnaires
    • Support the Group Packaging Technologist to ensure Dale Farm is compliant with legal requirements such as EPR.
    • Support the Group Packaging Technologist to understand latest technologies/materials and build a pipeline of cost optimisation and sustainability projects that meet of needs of Dale Farm and our customers.
    • Be responsible for management of packaging change projects inclusive of planning, leading and delivery of packaging trials.

    This is a challenging role, and we are looking for energetic and enthusiastic applicants who are able to work reliably on their own initiative and educated to Degree level.

    Applicants must have a minimum of 9-12 months working in a procurement role (can include placement year), have excellent administration and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to plan and work with flexibility to meet deadlines. Applicants must have strong IT skills. You should hold a clean current driving licence and have access to your own transport.

    This is an excellent opportunity to be part of the Dale Farm Graduate Development Programme and gain experience in a well-established, growing and progressive Company. To apply for the position, please visit the Dale Farm Careers page at dalefarm.co.uk/careers.

    Completed applications must be received before 5.00pm on Monday 24th February 2025.