Buying Manager

Lidl GB; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the UK is seeking a Buying Manager to influence product offerings and manage supplier relationships. You’ll engage in product development, negotiations, and oversee the product lifecycle from conception to launch. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills, a proactive mindset, and experience in retail. The position offers a hybrid work model with competitive benefits including holiday entitlement and in-store discounts.

Benefits

35 days holiday (pro rata)

10% in-store discount

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience working as a Buyer in the retail sector.
• Be passionate about the food retail industry.
• Possession of a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate confidence in making decisions involving multi-million pound investments.
• Take charge of your categories and embrace responsibility for all aspects.
• Oversee the essential timeline from product conception to launch.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Analytical abilities

Retail industry experience

Confidence in decision making

Job description

Summary

£66, £77 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 curious, collaborative, and ready to make a tangible impact on where we work.

Just like you.

Our award‑winning buying Department is now hiring a Buying Manager to join the team. You’ll play a major role in influencing every aspect of the range of goods that we offer to our customers – from the products we sell, to the way they look and taste, developing our supply base and continuing to drive our market‑leading position.

You’ll engage in a diverse range of activities including operations within our stores, product development, and contract negotiations, all on a global platform.

You’ll be able to excel in a dynamic and high‑pressure environment where every opinion is valued. You’ll have a true enthusiasm for food retail, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to becoming a specialist in your area. You’ll be self‑driven and perceptive, with a strong desire to succeed. Our network of over 600 stores rely on your expertise in selecting the best products for our customers.

If this piques your interest and you want to work for a fast‑moving, award‑winning retailer, then show us what you have got!

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. With up to two days at home, you’ll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.

What you'll do

• Demonstrate confidence in making decisions involving multi‑million pound investments and in formulating solutions to intricate challenges; you are the one who steers the decision‑making process for your categories.
• Take charge of your categories and embrace the responsibility and accountability for all aspects, from sample tasting to the final approval of packaging design – our success hinges on your efforts.
• Oversee the essential timeline from product conception to its launch in our depots, ensuring that stock is delivered on time.
• Possessing a strong entrepreneurial spirit, you will demonstrate exceptional skills in negotiation and networking at the highest echelons. Your role will involve daily interactions not only with Account Managers but also with Commercial and Managing Directors from some of the largest manufacturers in the UK.
• Demonstrate confidence when presenting to Buying Directors and Board Directors.
• Utilise your keen analytical abilities, coupled with the capacity to recognise trends, project sales, and evaluate data to inform commercial decisions.
• Engage in negotiations to secure the most favourable commercial terms for the business, with a strong commitment to achieving exceptional outcomes.
• Continuously seek to enhance our customer offerings, as the pursuit of improvement is an ongoing endeavour.
• Collaborate with your fellow buyers and colleagues in other departments, but ultimately have the initiative to drive your own work independently.
• Report into one of the Heads of Buying as part of a team of buyers.

What you'll need

• Experience working as a Buyer in the retail sector.
• Experience within food retail is desirable but not essential.
• Be passionate about the food retail industry.
• Common sense, pragmatic, logical and quick thinking are all the words people would use to describe you.
• An individual who demonstrates initiative, possesses an entrepreneurial mindset, and exhibits proficient negotiation abilities.
• Exude presence, demonstrate confidence, and hold firm belief in your ideas.
• 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.

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. 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.