Senior Buyer - Prepared Produce

Sainsbury's; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic buyer for the Produce category, responsible for driving sales and market share while ensuring a competitive customer offer. This role involves developing strategic relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and value. As the buyer, you will lead initiatives to meet sustainability targets and improve category performance. If you have a strong commercial background and a passion for the retail market, this position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the Produce category, including farming and agriculture.
• Strong commercial background with negotiation and supplier management experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and optimize the buying and selling strategy for the Produce category.
• Develop and execute a customer-focused category plan.

Skills

Commercial Experience

Negotiation Skills

Supplier Management

Category Planning

Analytical Thinking

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Job description

In a nutshell

To own, deliver and optimise the buying and selling strategy for the Produce category. Sustainably developing the product area following the strategic direction of Sainsbury’s Win in Food strategy. To focus on sales, volume market share and cash profit whilst delivering a market-leading, best in class, competitive customer offer.

The buyer has full responsibility for the commercial performance of the range across supermarket, convenience and online channels. Critical to delivery will be working with cross-functional teams to review the product range, identifying opportunities for product quality improvement, value offer opportunities and market-leading customer offer. In addition, working with the supply base and the Category Planners to develop a compelling customer offer

What you need to do

• Know and understand the Produce retail market across the multiple grocers.
• Develop and execute a customer-focused category plan in line with the Sainsbury’s corporate Win in Food strategy and the Produce category strategy.
• Meet Sales, Profit, Market Share targets.
• Work cross-functionally within a fast-paced, volatile category and make complex commercial decisions at speed and develop a ‘Best in Class’ customer offer.
• Develop an excellent trusting working relationship cross-functionally with your Technical, Supply Chain and NPD colleagues.
• Understand the current and historical category performance.
• Develop strong relationships with your supply base, growers and service providers.
• Influence key stakeholders to gain commitment to the plan.
• Lead relevant cross-functional projects through to delivery.
• Focus on ‘Plan for Better’ targets including removal of Plastics, reduction of Carbon Emissions, Water Surety and driving Healthy Volume sales.
• Be constantly looking to improve the Produce category plan.
• Implement pricing & promotional strategies in line with hierarchies and promotional offers.
• Negotiate optimum product cost through a thorough understanding of the end-to-end supply chain.
  
  

How I will succeed

• Deliver key KPI targets for market share growth, sales, profit and value index.
• Develop a ‘Best in Class’ customer offer on both Quality and Value for the Produce category.
• Understand the UK market both in Sainsbury’s and all the major retail competitors.
• Support the delivery of shared targets across the wider team.
• Successfully manage relationships with suppliers, growers and service providers to deliver performance in line with objectives.
• Drive your personal development plan and profile within the wider team.

What I need to know

• Understanding of the Produce category – farming / agriculture.
• Strong commercial and trading experience including negotiation, supplier management and category planning.
• How to analyse financial, market and customer data to identify opportunities.
• How to create a cross-functional category plan.
• How to flex your style to inspire and engage team and senior stakeholders.
• How to spot issues and effectively plan to mitigate risk.
• Key drivers of product cost and how to manage them.
• Knowledge of buying systems and processes.
• How to effectively and efficiently prioritise workload.

What I need to show

• Accountability for results and ability to deliver.
• Negotiation knowledge & skills.
• Strong commercial background and understanding of finance.
• Evidence of excellent judgement and commercial skills.
• Information management& analytical thinking.
• Clear and effective communication.
• Strong team-work and effective networking.

What decisions I can make

• Buying strategy & execution (product listings & negotiated cost prices).
• Selling strategy & execution (price and promotional plans).

Resources available to me

• Cross-functional team support (Supply Chain Analyst, Product Technical Manager, Range Analyst, Category Planning support, Online and Convenience support).
• Company processes & resources, including marketing support & customer insights.
• Legal support.
• Industry-leading personal and professional development resources.