Senior Buyer

JR United Kingdom; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK wine business seeks a Senior Buyer to shape product strategy and drive commercial success. This strategic role requires a minimum of 5 years' experience, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for wine. Opportunities for mentoring and collaboration are integral to this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a commercial buying role.
• Strong ability to deliver against financial targets.
• Experience mentoring or leading team members.

Responsibilities

• Leading the buying strategy for assigned product categories.
• Managing supplier relationships and negotiations.
• Identifying new product opportunities and leading sourcing trips.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Collaboration skills

Education

WSET Level 3 or higher

Job description

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Location: London (Hybrid – 3 days in the office)

Our client is one of the UK’s leading specialist wine businesses with an unmatched product range and a nationwide presence. They are looking for an experienced and commercially astute Senior Buyer to join their Buying team at a critical time in a fast-moving market.

The Role

As Senior Buyer, you’ll play a key role in shaping the product strategy and driving commercial success across core categories. This is a strategic position with responsibility for both short-term performance and long-term growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the buying and selling strategy for your assigned product categories
• Using data, customer insights and market trends to shape a compelling, differentiated range
• Managing and developing supplier relationships, including high-level commercial negotiations
• Taking full accountability for sales, margin, and supplier income targets
• Collaborating cross-functionally with teams across Marketing, Retail, Supply Chain and more
• Identifying new product opportunities and leading international sourcing trips
• Mentoring and supporting Buyers and Buying Assistants to develop capability across the team
• Contributing to wider business projects and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

We’re looking for a confident, driven individual with a deep understanding of buying and a passion for great product.

You’ll bring:

• At least 5 years’ experience in a commercial buying role (retail, grocery or alcohol industry preferred)
• Strong commercial acumen with proven ability to deliver against financial targets
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
• Passion for wine – WSET Level 3 or higher is desirable
• A strategic mindset with the ability to operate hands-on when needed
• Experience mentoring or leading team members
• Strong communication, analytical and collaboration skills
• Willingness to travel internationally for sourcing and supplier meetings

If you’re ready to make an impact in a business that values expertise, innovation and agility, we’d love to hear from you.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy