Buying Manager - Fresh Food

Rise Resourcing; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Healthcare

Holiday entitlement

Additional benefits

Job summary

Rise Resourcing is partnering with a leading retail business to appoint a Buying Manager for Fresh Food. You will define the buying strategy, own range planning and cost management, ensuring a market-leading fresh proposition. This role blends office and home working, with about three days weekly at the West Midlands headquarters.

You will lead end-to-end category strategy, negotiate with suppliers, and drive profitability across key Fresh Food categories.

Qualifications

• Solid buying or trading experience in FMCG retail.
• End-to-end category management with margin focus.
• Strong supplier relationships and commercial judgement.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the buying and sourcing strategy for Fresh Food.
• Own range planning, assortment decisions, pricing and promotions.
• Manage costs to maximise profitability and competitive positioning.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with food technology, supply chain and commercial teams.

Skills

Buying/Trading experience

Supplier relationship management

Category strategy

Job description

We’re partnering with a leading, fast‑paced retail business with hundreds of stores nationwide to recruit a Buying Manager for their Fresh Food team. This role will focus on sourcing and shaping an exceptional fresh offer across key categories. The position offers a blend of office and home working, with around three days per week spent in their West Midlands headquarters.

About the job

You will play a pivotal role in defining and delivering the buying and sourcing strategy for Fresh Food, covering produce, protein and other core categories. This includes full ownership of range planning, assortment decisions, pricing, promotions and cost management to maximise profitability and ensure a market‑leading fresh proposition. You’ll work closely with a broad supplier base and collaborate cross‑functionally with food technology, supply chain and commercial teams to land ranges successfully.

About the person

You’ll bring solid Buying or Trading experience from the FMCG retail sector and be confident managing a category end‑to‑end. Strong supplier relationship management, commercial judgement and the ability to shape and execute category strategy are essential. You’ll be accountable for margin, profitability and competitive positioning, using your negotiation skills and commercial acumen to ensure the business stays ahead of market trends and customer expectations.

What you’ll get in return

You will receive a competitive salary of up to £65,000, plus car allowance, bonus potential, healthcare, generous holiday entitlement and a suite of additional benefits. The business places genuine emphasis on colleague wellbeing, community impact and creating a positive, supportive working environment.