Buying Graduate Programme

ASDA; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Pension plan

Colleague discount

Wellbeing services

Employee assistance

Inclusion networks

Parental leave

Job summary

ASDA is launching a Buying Graduate Programme in Leeds. This two-year development path rotates you through Buying, Merchandising and Category Planning, building a solid commercial foundation while exposing you to key decision-making experiences.

You will spend time in stores to learn customer impact, collaborate with suppliers, and support decisions that shape products, promotions and ranges customers love. No specific degree is required; curiosity and eagerness to learn are valued.

Qualifications

• No specific business degree required; curiosity and willingness to learn are valued.
• Strong analytical mindset and comfort working with data.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Adaptive and capable in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Customer-focused with a passion for retail and products.

Responsibilities

• Support management of product categories and trading performance.
• Analyse sales data and identify commercial opportunities.
• Assist with promotional planning and execution.
• Build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Attend supplier meetings and support negotiations.
• Contribute to range reviews and profitability across categories.
• Visit stores to understand customer behaviour and product performance.

Skills

Curious

Analytical

Communication skills

Adaptable

Customer focus

Fast learner

Job description

Job Title

Buying Graduate Programme

Location

Asda House

Employment Type

Full time

Contract Type

Permanent Graduate (Fixed Term)

Hours per Week

37.5

Salary

Competitive salary

Category

Buying

Closing Date

10 December 2026

Ready to turn your passion for products, trends and customers into a career?

At Asda, we're looking for ambitious graduates to join our Buying team and help shape the products our customers see on shelves every day.

This is an exciting opportunity to kickstart your career in retail with a business that serves millions of customers across the UK. Through a combination of hands-on experience, structured development and exposure to key commercial functions, you'll build the skills and confidence needed for a successful career in buying and merchandising.

No specific business degree is required. We're looking for curious, driven individuals who are eager to learn, build relationships and make an impact.

“Everything about Asda”

We are a values-led organisation. As such we, encourage everyone to be open and honest. We work creatively and collaboratively, valuing everyone's input.

“Everything you'll love”

To ensure we balance moments where we know we need to collaborate together and the need for flexibility, Asda has a hybrid way of working with a minimum 3 days a week in one of our Home Offices. Over and above this, each area of Asda may have additional requirements which may require spending more days in the office, visiting suppliers, stores or depots.

You will also get an excellent benefits package including:

• Discretionary company bonus

• Company pension up to 7% matched

• 15% colleague discount in store and online

• Free access to wellbeing services such as Wagestream, 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, health and dental cash plans and a 24/7 employee assistance helpline, alongside discounts across a range of services and activities, from airport parking, enhanced to theme parks and cinemas.

• Asda Allies Inclusion Networks – helping colleagues to make sure everybody is included and that our differences are recognised and celebrated

• Excellent parental leave policies, including maternity & adoption leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave, and support for those doing fertility treatments.

We want all colleagues to be able to bring their best and true selves to work, every day. Simply put, we want our colleagues to be Proud to be Asda and proud to be themselves

Plus, much more!

"Find Your Role"

Our Buying Graduate role offers a structured commercial development journey, giving you the opportunity to develop deep buying and merchandising expertise while gaining experience across different areas of the Buying function and helping shape the products, promotions and ranges our customers love.

Throughout the two-year journey, you'll rotate across Buying, Merchandising and Category Planning, building a strong understanding of how our Commercial teams work together to deliver great quality products, exceptional value and profitable growth. Along the way, you'll develop the skills, knowledge and commercial awareness needed for a successful career within Asda's Commercial function while discovering where your strengths and interests lie.

As part of your development, you'll also spend time in our stores, giving you first hand insight into the customer experience and how decisions made within a commercial role directly impact colleagues, customers and store performance. This unique exposure will help you understand the full product journey, from supplier to shelf.

No two days are the same, but you can expect to:

• Support the management of product categories and trading performance

• Analyse sales data and identify commercial opportunities

• Assist with promotional planning and execution

• Build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders

• Attend supplier meetings and support negotiations

• Contribute to range reviews and customer-led decision making

• Support Profit & Loss performance across categories

• Produce internal sales reporting and commercial insights

• Visit stores to understand customer behaviour, product performance and operational execution

Let's Find Out About You

We're looking for graduates who are:

• Curious and commercially minded

• Analytical and confident working with data

• Strong communicators who enjoy building relationships

• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

• Customer-focused and passionate about retail

• Eager to learn and develop their career

• Resilient and able to make informed decisions

• Excited by products, trends and understanding customer needs

A strong business background isn't required for success within retail. Buying and merchandising require a diverse range of skills, many of which are transferable. The most important qualities are curiosity, drive and an innate desire to continually learn and develop.

What You'll Learn

As part of your development, you'll gain valuable experience and build skills in:

• Managing supplier relationships

• Understanding market trends and customer behaviour

• Navigating supply chain challenges

• Delivering successful promotional activity

• Cost, margin and Profit & Loss management

• Planning and executing category strategies

• Using data and insight to drive decisions

• Maintaining a competitive edge in a fast-moving retail market

By the end of the role, you'll have developed a strong commercial foundation and a deep understanding of how buying decisions shape the customer experience across Asda.

"Find Your Everything At Asda"

We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We're committed to attracting and developing diverse talent and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed.

If you're successful through our selection process, you'll progress through the following stages:

• A short, blended personality and numerical assessment

• Three, quick video interview questions

• A half-day assessment centre, where you will meet the team and find out more about the programme.

If you are successful, we will ask you to come and join ASDA in September 2027. You will need to work a minimum of three days per week in Asda House, Leeds. The three-day office attendance requirement may vary based on the specific team and its operational requirements.

All candidates must have the continuous right to work in the UK and any offer of employment is conditional upon this requirement. Asda do not provide sponsorship for our graduate and apprenticeship programmes.