Senior Buyer - Fruit

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

Job summary

A leading online grocery retailer in Hatfield seeks a Senior Buyer - Fruit to manage the Fruit category. This role involves accountability for a P&L, negotiation of supplier agreements, and the management of a team of three. Successful candidates will possess strong retail buying experience and exceptional negotiation skills. Join this dynamic team to shape the strategic direction of the Produce category and enjoy flexible working arrangements with numerous benefits.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Annual bonus scheme

Matched pension contributions

Discounts on Ocado and M&S

Free breakfast in the office

Qualifications

• Significant retail buying experience in Fresh Produce or Fruit.
• Proven track record of managing a P&L effectively.
• Ability to lead negotiations for high-value supplier agreements.
• Capability to synthesize complex data for category strategy.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Fruit category P&L and deliver against KPIs.
• Spearhead fruit sourcing strategy and partner with suppliers.
• Execute category reviews for range refinement and innovation.
• Lead a high-performing team and contribute to strategic direction.

Skills

Retail buying experience

Negotiation skills

Understanding of agricultural supply chains

Data analysis

Job description

Vacancy NameSenior Buyer - Fruit

Vacancy NoVN1162

Job TypePermanent

LocationHatfield

Job Details

Senior Buyer - Fruit

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 : Wednesday 17th 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 , our same-day grocery delivery service.

About the team and the role

We're looking for an exceptional Senior Buyer to join our Produce team and lead the Fruit category. In this role, you will hold full commercial accountability for the Fruit category, managing a complex global supply chain to deliver a market-leading range. You will spearhead our sourcing strategy, cultivating resilient supplier relationships and utilising data to make fast, agile trading decisions. As a key member of the Produce Leadership Team, you will play a vital role in shaping our future strategic direction while leading and developing a high-performing team of three.

What you’ll do

Commercial Accountability

• Be fully accountable for the Fruit category P&L and deliver against all KPIs
• Spearhead the end-to-end fruit sourcing strategy, navigating complex global supply chains and seasonality
• Negotiate and execute complex, high-value Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with growers and importers that drive mutual growth and innovation
• Utilise live data to make fast, commercially sound trading decisions, reacting quickly to market dynamics, weather events, and availability challenges
• Partner closely with the M&S sourcing team to drive joint initiatives
• Ensure zero GSCOP breaches. Always follow the Business Code of Conduct and act with integrity and due diligence

Strategy, Range & Innovation

• Expertly execute category reviews to refine the range, ensuring we are first-to-market with seasonal highlights and Ocado exclusives
• Work closely with the Category Trade Planner to ensure best-in-class execution across all channels
• Collaborate closely with Supply Chain and Technical teams to mitigate risks, ensuring best-in-class availability and product quality that meets Ocado’s standards

Negotiation & Supplier Excellence

• Lead complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans that align with the customer plan and category strategy
• Manage and review the performance of a complex 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 3, setting clear direction and fostering a high-performance culture
• As a senior voice in the Produce Leadership Team : contribute to the wider division’s strategy and cross-functional initiatives

Who you are

• Significant retail buying experience (Fresh Produce / Fruit preferred) with an understanding of global agricultural supply chains and seasonality
• A proven track record of delivering breakthrough commercial results and managing a complex P&L
• Exceptional negotiation skills with experience leading strategic, high-value supplier agreements and JBPs
• Expertise in synthesising complex data sets to define long-term category strategy and drive day-to-day trading performance
• Proven capability in managing and developing others; you can inspire a team and build future talent

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