Senior Buyer - Fruit

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

Job summary

A leading online grocery retailer is seeking a Senior Buyer for Fruit to take commercial accountability for the category. In this senior role, the successful candidate will manage a high-performing buying team and own the flagship fresh produce category. Responsibilities include P&L ownership, driving performance using data, and contributing to cross-functional strategies. The role offers competitive salary, bonus, and comprehensive benefits, with strong career progression opportunities in a fast-paced retail environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Comprehensive benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant retail buying experience within Fresh Produce, preferably fruits.
• Track record of managing P&L and achieving commercial results.
• Strong negotiation experience with high-value supplier contracts.

Responsibilities

• Full P&L ownership for the Fruit category.
• Lead sourcing strategy across global supply chains.
• Negotiate Joint Business Plans with growers.

Skills

Retail buying experience

Understanding of global agricultural supply chains

Negotiation skills

Data literacy

People leadership

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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