Senior Buyer - Fruit

MorePeople; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading online grocery retailer is seeking a Senior Buyer for Fruit in the UK. This high-impact role includes full commercial accountability for the Fruit category, overseeing P&L, driving performance, and leading a team of buyers. Candidates should have significant experience in retail buying, strong negotiation skills, and a keen understanding of global supply chains. The position offers hybrid working, a competitive salary, and opportunities for career progression within a growing online business.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working model

Comprehensive benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant retail buying experience within Fresh Produce, preferably Fruit.
• Strong understanding of global agricultural supply chains and seasonal changes.
• Proven track record of managing complex P&L accounts.
• Excellent negotiation skills with suppliers.
• Highly data-literate for strategic decision-making.
• Experience in leading and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Full P&L ownership for the Fruit category, meeting all commercial KPIs.
• Lead sourcing strategy across global supply chains.
• Negotiate Joint Business Plans with growers and importers.
• Make fast, data-led trading decisions based on market dynamics.
• Manage a diverse global supplier base and mitigate risks.
• Lead a team of 3 buyers and develop a high-performance culture.

Skills

Retail buying experience in Fresh Produce

Understanding of global agricultural supply chains

Negotiation skills for high-value agreements

Data literacy for insights

Leadership and team development

Job description

We're partnering with a market-leading UK online grocery retailer to recruit a Senior Buyer for Fruit. This is a high-impact, senior commercial role with full ownership of a flagship fresh produce category and responsibility for leading a talented buying team.

The Opportunity

As Senior Buyer for Fruit, you'll have full commercial accountability for the category, managing a complex global supply base and driving performance across profit, availability, quality and innovation. You'll operate at pace, using live data to make agile trading decisions while shaping long-term category strategy.

You'll also play a key role within the wider Produce leadership team, contributing to cross-functional initiatives and future business direction.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

• Full P&L ownership for the Fruit category, delivering against all commercial KPIs
• Lead the end-to-end sourcing strategy across global supply chains and seasonal complexity
• Negotiate and deliver high-value Joint Business Plans with growers and importers
• Make fast, data-led trading decisions in response to weather, availability and market dynamics
• Ensure full compliance with GSCOP and the Business Code of Conduct

Strategy, Range & Innovation

• Lead category reviews to optimise range, value and innovation
• Deliver first-to-market seasonal highlights and exclusive propositions
• Partner closely with Trade Planning, Supply Chain and Technical teams to ensure best-in-class availability and quality

Supplier & Risk Management

• Manage and develop a diverse, global supplier base
• Identify and mitigate supply, quality and continuity risks
• Drive strong supplier engagement and performance through clear governance and communication

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a team of 3 buyers
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture
• Act as a senior voice within the Produce leadership team

About You

• Significant retail buying experience within Fresh Produce (Fruit strongly preferred)
• Strong understanding of global agricultural supply chains and seasonality
• Proven track record of managing complex P&Ls and delivering commercial results
• Excellent negotiator with experience leading strategic, high-value supplier agreements
• Highly data-literate, able to translate insight into both long-term strategy and day-to-day trading decisions
• Experienced people leader with a passion for developing talent

What's on Offer

• Senior, high-profile role within a fast-paced, data-driven retail environment
• Hybrid working (3 days office-based)
• Competitive salary, bonus and comprehensive benefits package
• Strong opportunities for career progression within a growing online retail business

Interested?

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