Buying Graduate – Sept 2027

Ocado Retail Limited; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Ocado/ M&S discounts

Holiday allowance 26 days + 8 BH

Hybrid working

Pension contributions up to 7%

Job summary

Ocado Retail Limited is recruiting for a Buying Graduate on a permanent, hybrid basis in Hatfield. The 24‑month scheme rotates through the buying division, delivering projects and building robust commercial skills.

You’ll negotiate with suppliers, learn from expert buyers, and drive category performance to deliver value for customers. The role starts with a £30,000 salary, requires a 2:2 degree, and offers hybrid working (3 days in the office).

Qualifications

• 2:2 degree or higher from a UK accredited university.
• You will be joining a 24-month rotational buying scheme with development opportunities.
• You will negotiate with suppliers and drive value for Ocado Retail.

Responsibilities

• Rotations across the buying division as part of a 24-month scheme.
• Be an integral part of the team delivering a project and developing skills as a commercial buyer.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure great products at fair value for customers.
• Learn from expert buyers while driving your own category with support from your line manager.
• Develop skills in negotiation, category management, data analytics and e-commerce.

Skills

Market focus

Data-driven

Innovative problem solving

Negotiation

Product enthusiasm

Adaptable agile thinking

Education

2:2 degree or higher

Job description

Buying Graduate

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)

Working hours per week: 40 hours

Level: Entry level – Graduate

Starting Salary: £30,000

Application Closing Date: Sunday 1st November 2026

Scheme commences: September 2027

About Us

Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value.

We’re Ocado Retail, a market‑leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same‑day grocery delivery service.

About The Team And The Role

The buying team is responsible for putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, truly living and breathing what our customers want to see when they shop with us!

Our team of buyers curates their ranges to deliver the unique customer experience gleaned from the largest range in the industry. They analyse consumer buying patterns, predict future trends, and work alongside our suppliers to maximise our offering to our customers. All of this is coupled with regularly reviewing performance indicators and profitability to manage the performance of their categories.

No day is the same as our buyers continually work to ensure we offer the right products, at the right time in the right place!

What You’ll Do

• The 24-month buying scheme consists of rotations across our buying division
• Within each rotation, you’ll be an integral part of the team, delivering a project and developing your skills to be a strong commercial buyer
• You will be negotiating with suppliers, finding amazing products to stock on Ocado, and making sure we offer our customers fair value while you do it
• You will learn from our expert buyers whilst having the responsibility to drive your own category with the support of your line manager
• We’ll give you a strong foundation in the skills you need to become a buyer including negotiation, category management, data analytics and e‑commerce training

Who You Are

• A market-focused thinker who is passionate about tracking customer trends to keep Ocado as the UK’s top online supermarket.
• A data-driven collaborator who easily builds strong relationships—internally and with suppliers—to deliver for our customers.
• An innovative problem solver who generates fresh ideas to drive sales, profitability, and market share growth.
• A confident negotiator who enjoys securing a great deal and isn’t afraid to navigate difficult conversations for the best outcome.
• A product enthusiast who loves discovering the next big innovation in food and household goods.
• An adaptable agile thinker who stays quick on their feet and constructively challenges the status quo.

What You Need To Apply

• A 2:2 degree or higher from a UK accredited University
• The legal right to work in the United Kingdom upon scheme commencement and duration of the scheme (2 Years)

What’s In It For You

• Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
• Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
• Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.

Your Application and AI

In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don’t lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you’re a great fit for us.

Everyone’s welcome

We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at [e-mail] and we’ll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.