Buying Manager - Food to Go & Deli - Mat Cover

Booker Group; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking an experienced Buying Manager to join their Fresh team on a maternity cover contract. The role focuses on maximizing profitability in Food to Go and Deli categories, emphasizing customer satisfaction and effective team leadership. The successful candidate will have a degree and extensive experience in FMG, with strong communication and problem-solving skills. This position offers a supportive environment with opportunities for career progression and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Colleague discount card with 10% off

Tesco colleague discount card after 3 months

10% off Tesco Mobile deals

Up to 30% off insurance through Tesco Bank

Free eye tests and discounts on glasses

50% off health checks

Discounted RAC breakdown cover

Participation in Save As You Earn scheme

Retirement savings plan with company match

Health and wellbeing resources

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in FMG and leading a buying team.
• Proven ability to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans to meet sales and profit targets.
• Negotiate with suppliers for competitive terms.
• Lead the category team and manage performance.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Problem Solving

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree-level education

Job description

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About the role

Reporting to: Lead Category Manager
Based: Welwyn Garden City

We're looking for an experienced and driven Buying Manager (also known as Category Manager) to join our Fresh team on a maternity cover contract. This role will focus on the Food to Go and Deli categories and can be based from any of our office locations in Welwyn, Wellingborough, Watford, or Eccles.

Job Summary

Maximising the profitability of specified product categories, improving customer satisfaction, and cash profit.

Main Responsibilities

1. The development and implementation of category plans ensuring delivery of sales, margin and profit are met whilst maintaining continuity of product availability.
2. Growth of own brand business, sourcing as appropriate to grow sales and margins.
3. Annual negotiation with suppliers to ensure competitive terms year on year.
4. Seek and react to customer feedback at every opportunity, shaping the category plan, whilst linking to the sell plan and customer satisfaction.
5. Respond to customer queries and complaints professionally and promptly.
6. Communicate category plans and objectives for relevant product categories, ensuring understanding and buy-in.
7. Ensure product areas in the business reflect principles of good, better, and best.
8. Collaborate with the senior team to identify opportunities and develop or improve ways of working.
9. Lead the category team, manage performance, and have effective succession plans supporting Booker in 'Making Everyone Welcome' and 'A Place to Get On'.
10. Follow our Business Code of Conduct, acting with integrity and due diligence, championing diversity and inclusion.

You will need

Operational skills relevant for this job:

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and make commercial decisions.
• Attention to detail, report writing, data interpretation, and accurate record keeping.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant markets and developments.
• Flexibility in work approach.

Experience relevant for this job:

• Degree-level education.
• Extensive experience in FMG and leading a buying team.
• Proven ability to work autonomously.
• Experience in developing and managing marketing campaigns.

What's in it for you

At Booker, we offer a great working environment and opportunities for career progression, along with a comprehensive benefits package:

• Colleague discount card with 10% off at Booker and special discount events.
• After 3 months, Tesco colleague discount card with escalating discounts on Tesco purchases, plus additional savings at Tesco Cafe and F&F.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM deals with Tesco Mobile, plus other deals throughout the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet, and home insurance through Tesco Bank (terms apply).
• Free eye tests and discounts on glasses and contact lenses.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Discounted RAC breakdown cover and access to various discounts via our website.
• Participation in our Save As You Earn share scheme after 3 months.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Life assurance coverage.
• Health and wellbeing resources, including Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP.
• Competitive holiday package.