Grocery Junior Buyer (Location: Andover or Putney)

Who we are? Abel & Cole has pioneered organic, ethical and sustainable food delivery for over 30 years. Doing things better is our bread and butter; from saving over 60 million plastic bags by using reusable boxes for our food deliveries, to finding alternatives to plastic long before it hit the headlines. We are forever challenging ourselves to find the most positive way to do business and want everyone to eat organic because it’s one way to save the future. It’s these values that enabled us to become B Corp certified; an optional audit we’ve gone through to recognise how we put people and planet before profit, as well as help us find room for further improvement. We’re looking for more people to join our team of almost 600, to share our passion for doing the right thing even bigger and better than we do already. In a fast-paced and competitive market, we know it’s our people who make the difference. We’ve learnt how important it is to recognise, develop and promote from within; and that trusting people lets them come up with the best ideas and that helps our entrepreneurial spirit to thrive.

Role Summary: Reporting to the Grocery Senior Buyer and acting as an ambassador for Abel & Cole, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a team that is passionate about sourcing and delivering an enviable range of top quality, ethical and sustainable products direct to the customer’s door. Working in a fast-paced environment where problem solving is part of the day to day, alongside other Abel & Cole Buyers and Supply Chain Planners, your goal will be to manage and develop your own product ranges with direct accountability for sales, margin, availability, and quality. You will source and analyse category insights and trends to identify commercial opportunities, drive range innovation and shape the future of your category. Relationships with our fantastic farmers and producers are paramount, and you will build and nurture these connections through regular communication, visits, and business plans where appropriate. We love to be bold and take risks, so in this role you’ll be encouraged to try new things to make significant steps forward in the organic and sustainable field. The right candidate for this role will have strong commercial awareness and drive paired with product vision and creativity. They will need excellent organisation skills, an eye for detail, and good knowledge of the grocery retail sector. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a fast-paced, dynamic department where no two days are the same.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering your category commercial objectives of AOV, margin, and gross profit.
• Reviewing relevant market and competitor insights to shape your category plans and strategy.
• Seeking continuous optimisation of the range through product launches and delists and driving category innovation, both to surprise and delight customers and to secure a competitive advantage.
• Formulating robust promotional plans and working collaboratively with the trading and marketing teams to deliver strong trading results.
• Building supplier relationships, risk, and opportunity planning, buying and category management responsibility for specific areas.
• Working closely with the Dry Goods Supply Chain Planning Team to maximise availability, minimise wastage, and support them in their day-to-day supplier management.
• Working closely with other cross-functional teams across marketing, technical, sustainability and operations to ensure effective collaboration.
• Acting as an ambassador for B Corp.
• Making all decisions with our social and environmental impact in mind and look for opportunities, no matter how small, to use our business as a force for good.

Key Requirements:

• Previous buying experience, preferably with experience within Grocery categories.
• Numerate with good commercial awareness.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• A keen attention to detail.
• An excellent communicator; possessing the ability to gain buy-in when necessary.
• Computer literate, particularly in MS Office and Excel.
• A flexible attitude, with the ability to deal positively with changing priorities.
• Proactive and able to work on one’s own initiative.

What We Offer:

• This is a full-time position working Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Our core working hours are 9.00am - 5.30pm, however, we offer flexibility.
• You will be based in either our Putney or Andover office with regular travel to alternative site.
• We have a hybrid working environment, with a minimum of two days in the office required per week.
• Competitive salary.
• Wellbeing and Rewards platform with access to discounts, GP service and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Benefits package 33 days inclusive of bank holidays (FTE).
• A free box of fruit and veg every week.
• Up to 35% discount on A&C products.
• Opportunity to be part of a growing and mission-driven company.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A chance to make a positive impact on the environment and people's health.

Abel & Cole promotes equal opportunities for all employees. We want our employees to feel they can be themselves at work and develop their talents to the full. Members of staff are expected to take personal responsibility for keeping our workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying - a place where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. To support Abel & Cole’s commitment to inclusion and diversity, we ask that you remove all personal details from your CV. This includes removal of home address, D.O.B and place of education.