Commercial Procurement Assistant Manager - #145524

How would you like to work in a truly unique environment where you can stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The role

Working as part of the Commercial Procurement team at Chester Zoo, you will provide crucial support to ensure that food and beverage, retail and other commercial products are in our outlets in the right quantity, at the right time and at the right price. You will work closely with our Commercial Buyer and Commercial Procurement Manager to support our commercial teams at Chester Zoo.

You will:

• Support the Commercial Buyer in sourcing, selecting, and purchasing appropriate products and services across all commercial areas, ensuring ethical, sustainable procurement that exceeds visitor expectations.
• Work on cross-departmental projects to enhance quality, consistency, and innovation in the commercial offer.
• Develop relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, ensuring procurement and margin budgets are met across departments.
• Manage and maintain stock systems, ensuring data accuracy, demand forecasting, and reporting to support departmental operations.
• Stay informed of market trends, competitor activity, and sector developments to generate innovative ideas and ensure the zoo maintains a leading position in commercial quality and sustainability.
• Own and maintain all back-of-house systems used in procurement and stock management. Be the subject matter expert, training users at all levels and ensuring reliable, accurate, and functional reporting.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers to achieve cost efficiencies and maintain strong supply chains aligned with short- and medium-term business plans.
  
  

The Package

• Permanent contract
• Salary of £29,260.20 per annum, based on 40 hours per week
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you and your dependent family can visit the zoo, plus 20 additional complimentary tickets per year for your friends and family
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free travel to and from work on the X1 bus service from Chester or Ellesmere Port
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
  
  

You will generally work sociable hours between Monday to Friday, with the occasional need for weekend working when required for which time off in lieu will be given.

Our Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in a commercial buying/procurement role
• Proven ability to manage stock and EPOS systems across varied product categories
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence across multiple departments and roles
• Experience training and supporting users across different system platforms
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage supplier terms and compliance
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and commercial performance metrics
• Excellent analytical skills, ideally with both food & beverage and retail experience
• Adaptable and collaborative, with the ability to work across departments with varying priorities
• CIPS level 2-3 is preferrable but not essential
  
  

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of 600 permanent and nearly 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.