We're looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to join our fast-paced FMCG business. This is a hands-on role where you’ll be driving purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, lead and develop the purchasing team across all Walter & Wild business units. This is a permanent full time position reporting directly to our Group Supply Chain Manager.
About Us
At Walter & Wild, we’re proud to be one of New Zealand’s leading food manufacturers, with a portfolio that includes some of the country’s most iconic brands: Hubbards, Hansells, Horleys, I Love Food Co., Aunt Betty’s, Vitafresh & Vitasport, Greggs, Alfa One, Movenpick (NZ & AU), Killinchy Gold, NZ Natural, Zilch, and Chateau.
About the Role
You’ll be the go-to person for vendor management and procurement performance. Utilising our Supplier Base management tool. Managing and developing our purchasing team members.
Making sure our materials are available on time at the right cost, and in the right quantities is absolutely key to our success– all the while keeping a close eye on working capital targets, ensuring our procurement operations keep pace with demand.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead purchasing operations across multiple business units
- Act as the primary contact for all approved vendors
- Build strong partnerships with suppliers locally and internationally
- Monitor stock levels and demand forecasts, working closely with sales and production teams
- Work closely with NPD and Operations to coordinate material and supplier changes without disruption
- Lead and develop a small but capable purchasing team
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive continuous improvement across procurement processes
- Stay sharp on market trends, product availability, and freight movements to keep us ahead
What We’re Looking For
- 4+ years in procurement or purchasing roles, ideally in FMCG
- Proven leadership experience with a collaborative, hands-on approach
- Strong negotiation skills and supplier management experience
- Commercially savvy with an eye for cost, quality, and risk
- Working knowledge of ERP/procurement systems
- A calm, solutions-focused mindset when pressure is on
Why you’ll love it here at Walter and Wild?
At Walter & Wild supply chain, no two days are the same. You’ll be part of a team that works with agility, keeps things moving, and knows how to deliver under pressure. But we’re not just about keeping the wheels turning. We’re always looking for smarter, better ways to do things. In this role, you’ll have the space to be curious, challenge the status quo, and bring fresh thinking to how we purchase, plan, and partner with suppliers. If you enjoy building strong working relationships, solving problems, and making an impact in a fast-paced environment — we’d love to hear from you, apply now and let’s chat.
