Senior Buyer - Cheese

Ocado Retail Ltd; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading online supermarket in the UK is seeking a Senior Buyer for their Cheese category. This role involves managing supplier relationships, overseeing P&L, and negotiating high-value agreements. Candidates should have over 5 years of retail buying experience, exceptional negotiation skills, and a passion for cheese. The position offers competitive benefits, including hybrid working, private medical insurance, and generous discounts.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym memberships

Annual bonus scheme

Hybrid working

26 days holiday + flexible bank holidays

Qualifications

• 5+ years of retail buying experience.
• Fresh or dairy buying experience preferred.
• Proven track record of managing a complex P&L.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cheese category and manage supplier relationships.
• Negotiate Joint Business Plans with suppliers.
• Oversee P&L accountability for the cheese category.

Skills

Retail buying experience

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Passion for cheese

Job description

Vacancy Name: Senior Buyer - Cheese

Vacancy No: VN1163

Job Type: Permanent

Location: Hatfield

Job Details

Senior Buyer - Cheese

Contract type: Permanent

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

Working hours per week: 40 hours (Full Time)

Level: Manager

Application Closing Date: Tuesday 16th December

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 Ocado Delivery, our same‑day grocery delivery service.

About the team and the role

We're looking for a strong Senior Buyer to join our Dairy team and lead the cheese category. This role is perfect for someone with a huge passion for cheese who can work with our amazing suppliers - big & small - to source the best unique cheese range at great prices for our customers. You will also work very closely with M&S to curate the right range and pricing hierarchy across brands. This role also has line management responsibility for two people and is a key part of the chilled & frozen leadership team, playing a strategic role in shaping the category strategy and developing a high‑performing team.

What you’ll do

• List 5 key responsibilities the candidate will take on
• Include any line management responsibility

Commercial Accountability

• Be fully accountable for the Cheese category P&L and deliver against all KPIs
• Source the best artisan cheese range from across the world
• Negotiate and execute complex, high‑value Joint Business Plans (JBPs) across big FMCG suppliers, small challenger brands / cheesemoungers, Ocado Own Label and M&S branded goods
• Work closely with our suppliers to deliver excellent value for customers across key brands like Cathedral City, Philadelphia, Galbani, President and Dairylea
• Utilise live data to make fast, commercially sound trading decisions
• Partner closely with the M&S team to drive joint initiatives and grow M&S cheese on Ocado
• Ensure zero GSCOP breaches. Always follow the Business Code of Conduct and act with integrity and due diligence

Strategy, Range & Innovation

• Build, own & implement the cheese strategy
• Support your team in building and implementing a strong milk & butter category strategy & range plan
• Collaborate closely with Supply Chain to ensure fantastic availability for customers with minimal waste

Negotiation & Supplier Excellence

• Lead complex negotiations with both large and small suppliers
• Manage and review the performance of the dairy supplier base, communicating and developing strong relationships to drive high engagement
• Identify and create plans to mitigate potential issues / events that may impact the supply, and ensure product quality meets all Ocado requirements

People Management & Performance

• Lead, coach, and empower a team of 2, setting clear direction and fostering a high‑performance culture
• As a senior voice in the Chilled & Frozen team, contribute to the wider division’s strategy and cross‑functional initiatives

Who you are

• Significant (5+ years) retail buying experience
• Fresh or dairy buying experience is preferred, but not essential
• A proven track record of delivering breakthrough commercial results and managing a complex P&L
• Exceptional negotiation skills with experience leading strategic supplier agreements and JBPs
• Proven capability in managing and developing others; you can inspire a team and build future talent
• A passion for great cheese

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 + 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