Assistant Buying Manager - Head Office

LIDL; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the UK is seeking a Buyer to manage product categories, negotiate commercial terms, and analyze data. The ideal candidate will have experience in a buying environment, excellent negotiation skills, and a passion for the food retail industry. This position offers a competitive salary range of £49,500 to £66,000 per annum along with multiple benefits including 35 days holiday and employee discounts.

Benefits

35 days holiday

10% in-store discount

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead category management from sampling to packaging design.
• Negotiate commercial terms to drive results.
• Forecast sales and analyze data for decisions.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Job description

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 manufacturers. 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!

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

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

Responsibilities

• Lead category management, overseeing sampling to packaging design decisions.
• Manage the critical path from sample tasting to packaging design sign‑off.
• Negotiate commercial terms to drive results and improve the customer offer.
• Forecast sales and analyze data to support commercial decisions.
• Multitask across daily discussions with Account Managers, Commercial and Managing Directors.
• Collaborate with buyers and colleagues across other departments to drive own work independently.
ul>

Salary

• £49,500 up to £66,000 per annum