Head of Buying

RHR; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food retailer is hiring a Head of Buying in London to drive commercial strategy for grocery and health products. The role requires strong leadership and innovative problem-solving skills, with a competitive salary and benefits including a substantial bonus and share options.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Share options

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• Experience as head of buying, senior buyer, or category manager.
• Motivated with a problem solver approach.
• Capable of presenting new ideas and approaches.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the product assortment accounting for the largest turnover.
• Drive commercial strategy across grocery and health products.
• Manage a team of eight, ensuring their development and succession.

Skills

Commercial strategy

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

A market leading food retailer is looking to recruit for a head of buying; covering grocery, health and beauty and well-being, to join its established team in London. Part of one of the largest companies in the world, this retailer specialises in providing the highest quality product to its customers. Their mission is to provide the highest quality products, sourced in the most ethical way, that has a strong heritage from its local suppliers. The company puts the customer at the heart of everything they do. This retailer has a highly people centric culture and encourages every employee to be their own authentic version of themselves. This is a very exciting time to join this business as they have plans to triple in size over the coming years.

The head of buying will oversee the most high-profile assortment of products within the company, accounting for the largest turnover. You’ll be responsible for driving the commercial strategy across grocery, ambient and health & well-being products. You’ll work as the number two in the UK structure, working closely with the commercial director to identify ways to grow turnover and profitability over the next three to five years. The role will see you managing a team of eight, seeing you take personal responsibility for their training, development and succession within the organisation.

The successful candidate will have gained experience at a head of buying, senior buyer or category manager level. You will be highly energised and motivated, someone who is able to think outside the box and bring a problem solver approach to the organisation. You are able to do things differently from typical food retail, new ideas, different ways of doing things are encouraged. This role has a very high profile within the organisation and you’ll be taking the lead, as the face of the company internally and externally. You’ll be a highly commercial individual, great communicator, confident yet humble.

In return the role is paying up to £95,000 as a basic salary, plus an annual bonus of up to £14,000. There are share options given to you each year which totals around €26,000, vesting every two years. The office base is in the City in a beautiful area of London and includes the option of hybrid working, with lots of local shops and food outlets that blend office working, with relaxing during lunchtime and refreshment breaks.