Senior Buying Manager - Chilled Food

Rise Resourcing; Wirral; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Healthcare

Incentives

Job summary

Rise Resourcing is supporting a leading North West food retailer to recruit a Senior Buying Manager in Wirral. You will own the buying and category strategy for the Chilled Food division, shaping supplier partnerships and driving value across the range.

You will manage end-to-end category activities, negotiate prices, and lead promotions to maximise sales and profit. A strong FMCG background and proven negotiation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Buying/Trading within FMCG retail.
• Proven ability to manage a category end-to-end.
• Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver a commercially robust category strategy for Chilled Food.
• Source and onboard new suppliers; strengthen existing partnerships.
• Negotiate competitive cost prices and manage contracts, pricing files, and commercial agreements.
• Lead promotional planning and in-season activity to maximise sales and supplier income.

Skills

Supplier relationships

Negotiation

Category strategy

Budgeting & margin

FMCG experience

Job description

A leading food retailer and wholesaler in the North West is looking to appoint a Senior Buying Manager to take full ownership of the Buying and Category strategy for one of their key Chilled Food divisions. This award‑winning organisation is recognised for the quality of its ranges, its customer focus and the way it invests in and develops its people.

About the Role

You will shape and deliver a commercially robust category strategy, using deep market insight and product knowledge to build a compelling chilled food offer. The role involves sourcing and onboarding new suppliers, strengthening existing partnerships and negotiating competitive cost prices. A major part of the remit includes driving innovation across own‑label, working closely with UK and international suppliers, and ensuring contracts, pricing files and commercial agreements are accurately maintained. You will also lead promotional planning and in‑season activity to maximise sales, profit and supplier income.

About You

You’ll bring strong Buying or Trading experience from the FMCG retail sector and be confident managing a category end‑to‑end with full autonomy. You’ll have a proven ability to build supplier relationships, deliver category strategy and drive commercial performance. You will be accountable for margin, profitability and competitive positioning, ensuring the business stays ahead of market trends and customer expectations. Exceptional negotiation skills and sharp commercial judgement will be key to your success.

What’s in it for You

• competitive salary of up to £85,000
• relocation support
• healthcare
• a range of additional incentives