Buyer - FMCG

Quest Search and Selection Ltd; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Buyer – FMCG in Watford to manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and develop competitive promotional plans. The ideal candidate should have 2-3 years of retail buying experience, preferably in FMCG, with established negotiation skills. This role offers a hybrid working model, a 10% bonus, private healthcare, and other benefits including 25 days holiday and free gym access.

Benefits

10% Bonus

Hybrid working (2 days WIO)

Private healthcare

25 days holiday

Free Gym

Strong pension contribution

Learning & Development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2-3 years' experience in retail buying preferred.
• Experience within FMCG, food, drink, health & beauty is advantageous.
• Established negotiation experience with a recognized brand.

Responsibilities

• Manage category negotiations with line manager support.
• Prepare presentations for sign-off.
• Support Assistant Buyer in daily tasks.
• Deliver budget and scheme forecasts.
• Develop supplier strategies and secure agreements.

Skills

Retail buying background

Negotiation experience

Data analysis

Proficient in Excel

Collaboration with stakeholders

Tools

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Quest Search & Selection are looking for a Buyer - FMCG to develop, implement, and review a category plan that leverages scale and supplier efficiency to reduce costs, optimise terms, and improve profitability. In this role you will be negotiating contracts with strong product availability & margins.

This business is a leading B2B supplier & retailer here you will be part of a large international organisation with a highly influential marketing power with sustainable and progressive financial results.

In this position your responsibilities as a Buyer – FMCG include:

• Manage category negotiations with line manager support.
• Prepare presentations for sign‑off.
• Support Assistant Buyer for development and daily tasks.
• Deliver budget and scheme forecasts.
• Identify risks and engage stakeholders to manage impact.
• Develop supplier strategies and secure agreements.
• Create competitive promo plans and maximise promotional investment.
• Assess suppliers, manage relationships, and resolve issues.
• Identify seasonal product opportunities and manage exit/clearance.
• Stay informed on product/market changes and implement mitigation plans.

To be successful in this Buyer – FMCG position you must have:

• Ideally having 2‑3 years' + successful retail buying background
• Ideally you have experience within food, drink FMCG, health & beauty, however other backgrounds will be considered etc
• That you have established negotiation experience within a recognised brand
• Experience analysing and interpreting data
• Experience prioritising workloads and meeting deadlines
• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders
• Proficient in Excel; competent in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word

The benefits on this Buyer – FMCG position include:

• 10% Bonus
• Hybrid working (2 days WIO)
• Private healthcare
• 25 days holiday
• Free Gym
• Strong pension contribution
• Learning &Development opportunities

If you feel that this opportunity sounds like you and you Buyer – FMCG experience, please send your CV quoting the reference no. JO-13

We request that candidates send their CV as a Microsoft Word document where possible.

Quest Search and Selection is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.