Senior Buyer

Ocado Retail Ltd; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading online supermarket is seeking a Senior Buyer in Hatfield. You will be responsible for managing category P&L, developing strategies, and negotiating with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have extensive retail buying experience and strong leadership skills. This is a hybrid position, allowing flexibility in working from home and the office. Competitive salary and benefits package available, including private medical insurance and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus scheme

Up to 7% matched pension contributions

15% Ocado discount

Work from anywhere for 2 weeks

26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays

Qualifications

• Significant retail buying experience within a branded environment.
• Skilled negotiator with experience in strategic supplier agreements.
• Proven leadership capability in managing teams.
• Exceptional influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with data to analyze performance.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for category P&L and deliver against KPIs.
• Negotiate with suppliers to deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans.
• Develop category strategy in alignment with business goals.
• Manage a diverse supplier base, ensuring high service levels.
• Lead and coach a team of buyers.

Skills

Retail buying experience

Negotiation skills

Leadership capability

Data analysis

Project management

Tools

Google Suite

Tableau

Job description

Vacancy NameSenior Buyer Vacancy NoVN1204 Job TypePermanent LocationHatfield Job Details

Senior Buyer

Contract type:Permanent

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

Working hours per week:40 hours

Level:Associate

Application Closing Date:30th January 2026

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, . 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 , our same-day grocery delivery service.

About the team and the role

As a Senior Buyer, you will have accountability for a specified category within the commercial buying team. You will work for the Trading Manager for your Sub Pod (eg BWS/Impulse/Non Food Grocery/ Cupboard). You will be responsible for your buying remit, working with your supply base to ensure the product range is optimised, proactively using data and analysis to maximise performance and drive sales, profitability and share growth to support the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.

What you’ll do

Commercial Accountability

• Be fully accountable for the category P&L and deliver against all KPIs such as Margin(Profit), Value Index, Sales, Availability and Line Level Profitability and cost of stock.
• Proactively identify opportunities to drive customer penetration and significantly improve the all-in margin by negotiating with suppliers to deliver savings.
• Plan and execute the comprehensive trade, promotions, and events plan within the value index guardrails.

Strategy, Range & Innovation

• Develop the category strategy with support from the Trading Manager/Buying Director.
• Expertly execute category reviews to refine the range, ensuring all changes align with the business and category strategy.
• Identify, analyse, and source first-to-market / Ocado exclusive product innovation using deep customer, market, and supplier insights.
• Support a team of Buyers in delivering their own range and strategy reviews.

Negotiation & Supplier Excellence

• Lead negotiations to agree upon and deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align with the customer plan and category strategy.
• Manage and review the performance of a diverse supplier base, communicating and developing strong relationships to drive high engagement.
• Work closely with Supply Chain and the supplier base to ensure best-in-class availability and service levels.
• Identify and create plans to mitigate potential issues/events that may impact the supply, and ensure product quality meets all Ocado requirements.
• Follow our GSCOP policy to ensure compliance at all times and always follow the Business Code of Conduct and act with integrity and due diligence.

People Management & Performance

• Line Management of a team of buyers and provide day-to-day coaching and feedback to Category Assistants.
• Be an expert in data, analysing and assessing performance issues and opportunities using reporting tools, and quickly devising and implementing effective solutions.

Who you are

• Significant retail buying experience within a branded environment with a demonstrated track record of delivering breakthrough commercial results.
• Skilled negotiator with experience in strategic, high-value, and business-critical supplier agreements.
• Proven leadership capability with experience in managing/mentoring
• Exceptional influencing and stakeholder management skills, capable of shaping strategy at a senior, cross-functional, and leadership level.
• Proficient in the following in Google Suite (e Sheets, Slides), even better if you are familiar with Gemini and Notebook LM. Prior experience in Tableau is desirable.
• Experience in working with data, with the ability to analyse and assess performance issues and opportunities, utilising the vast data and reporting tools available..
• Proven project management capability required to lead and deliver complex, long-term business-wide initiatives (e.g., major range resets).
• A passion for the food & non-food to deliver a best-in-class customer proposition.
• Have had prior experience in Category Management principles and can demonstrate this in your range management skills and delivering the latest category trends.

What’s in it for you

By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.

If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:

Health & Wellbeing: 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.

Spend & Save: 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.

Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.

Our Hiring Process

Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.

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