Assistant Buying Manager

Lidl; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supermarket chain in the UK is seeking an Assistant Buying Manager. This role involves leading product development, negotiating contracts, and collaboration within a dynamic buying environment. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in retail purchasing and a passion for food. The job offers hybrid working options and various employee perks including a generous holiday allowance and pension scheme.

Benefits

35 days holiday (pro rata)

10% in-store discount

Pension scheme

Enhanced family leave

Qualifications

• Experience working in a buying environment, ideally within retail.
• Passionate about the food retail industry.
• Possession of a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a category and manage the critical path from concept to launch.
• Negotiate the best possible commercial terms for the business.
• Collaborate with buyers and drive work independently.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Entrepreneurial spirit

Job description

Summary

£49,500 up to £66,000 per annum | 35 days' holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount | Pension scheme

Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table - but we also have a whole lot in common. We're motivated, commercially aware and ready to take on any challenge.

Our Buyers play a major role in influencing every aspect of the range of goods that we offer to our customers: from which products we sell, to the way they look and taste, developing our supply base and continuing to drive our market-leading position.

As an Assistant Buying Manager, you'll experience everything from working in our stores, to developing products and negotiating contracts, all on an international scale. This role offers the long-term scope to progress to Buying Manager level and beyond.

You'll excel in our fast moving, highly pressured environment where every voice is valued! You'll have a genuine passion for food retail, a 'get things done' attitude and the desire to become an expert in your field. You'll be a self-motivated and intuitive individual with a strong drive. Our 1000+ stores rely on your expertise in selecting the right products for our customers.

At Lidl, we offer a hybrid working model to give you the best of both worlds. Spend three days or more in our state-of-the-art office, where you can enjoy an on-site gym, restaurant, and more of the perks you deserve. And with up to two days at home, you'll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.

What you'll do

• Consider yourself to be a Foodie - you're our product developer after all
• Be comfortable in supporting your Head of Department making multi million pound decisions and devising solutions to complex problems - you help drive the decisions for your categories
• You will be expected to lead a category and assume responsibility and accountability for everything from the tasting of samples to the sign off of packaging design - our success is down to you
• Manage the critical path from product concept to launch into our depots and ensure the stock arrives on time
• Entrepreneurial flair with a talent for negotiating and networking at the highest levels - you'll be in daily discussions with not only Account Managers, but also Commercial and Managing Directors of some of the UK's biggest manufactures
• Be confident presenting to Buying Directors and Board Directors internally
• Use your sharp analytical skills along with the ability to identify trends, forecast sales and analyse data to support commercial decisions but don't be afraid to go with your gut feeling
• You will be in position to negotiate the best possible commercial terms for the business with a drive for achieving outstanding results
• Constantly striving to improve our customer offer. Getting better never stops.
• Collaborate with your fellow buyers and colleagues in other departments, but ultimately have the initiative to drive your own work independently
• Spinning lots of plates at any one time - multi tasking has to be your thing!

What you'll need

• Experience working in a buying environment, ideally within retail is essential for this role
• Experience within food retail is desirable but not essential
• Be passionate about the food retail industry
• Strong negotiation skills and experience dealing with suppliers
• Possession of a full UK driving licence
• Already live - or happy to relocate - within a one-hour commute of Lidl GB Head Office, Tolworth, Surrey
• German language skills desirable but not essential
• Common sense, pragmatic, logical and quick thinking are all the words people would use to describe you
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit
• A positive mental attitude at all times even in stressful situations
• Be assertive and confident in your communication skills
• Have presence, confidence and conviction in your ideas
• Works well under pressure and to tight and often conflicting deadlines

What you'll receive

• 35 days holiday (pro rata)
• 10% in-store discount
• Enhanced family leave
• Pension scheme
• Plus, more of the perks you deserve

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

If you're ready to get stuck in, want to get more out of your career and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.

*includes 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance