At a Glance
- Tasks: Support buyers in achieving sales and profitability targets while learning about product management.
- Company: Join a sustainable food company committed to ethical sourcing and positive impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, weekly fruit box, and discounts on products.
- Other info: Enjoy structured training, mentoring, and clear progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in buying with hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Recent graduate with strong analytical skills and a passion for food and sustainability.
Reports to: Senior Grocery Buyer
Working hours: Full time (37.5 hours over 5 days, Monday-Friday)
Location: Putney or Andover with regular travel to alternative site. Flexibility to visit suppliers across the country also required. We have a hybrid working environment, with a minimum of two days in the office required per week.
Role Summary:
We are looking for an ambitious and motivated graduate who is excited about building a career in buying and passionate about food, sustainability and making a positive impact through business. This is an ideal opportunity for someone at the start of their professional journey who is eager to learn, develop new skills, and gain hands‑on experience in a fast-paced commercial environment.
You don't need previous buying experience to be successful in this role. We're looking for someone with the right mindset: curious, proactive, highly organised, and keen to take ownership of their development. You'll enjoy working with data, building relationships, solving problems, and spotting opportunities to improve how we do things. You'll also have a genuine interest in food, consumer trends and sustainable sourcing, and be excited by the opportunity to help shape a range that is better for people and the planet.
As a Buying Assistant, you'll work closely with experienced buyers and suppliers, supporting the day‑to‑day management of product ranges while developing a strong understanding of how commercial decisions are made. You'll gain exposure to negotiations, product launches, promotions, supplier management, and category performance, providing a solid foundation for a long‑term career in buying.
Working with our network of fantastic farmers and producers, you'll learn how to balance commercial success with our ethical and environmental commitments, helping us bring great‑tasting, responsibly sourced products to customers' doorsteps.
If you're enthusiastic, resilient, eager to learn, and motivated by the idea of building a career in buying while contributing to a more sustainable food system, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting Buyers in delivering category commercial objectives, including sales, margin and profitability targets.
- Analysing category, customer and market data to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Assisting with new product launches, product reviews and range optimisation activities.
- Supporting the planning and execution of promotional activity in collaboration with Trading and Marketing teams.
- Building positive relationships with suppliers through regular communication and administration support.
- Working closely with the Dry Goods Supply Chain Planning Team to help maximise availability and minimise wastage.
- Supporting the maintenance of accurate product, supplier and pricing information.
- Collaborating with teams across Marketing, Technical, Sustainability, Operations and Customer Services.
- Contributing ideas that help improve our ranges, ways of working and customer experience.
- Acting as an ambassador for our B Corp values by considering the social and environmental impact of decisions and identifying opportunities to use business as a force for good.
What We're Looking For:
You don't need previous buying experience to thrive in this role. Instead, we're looking for someone who demonstrates the potential, ambition and attitude to build a successful career in buying.
Key Requirements:
- A recent graduate or someone with equivalent transferable experience and a genuine interest in pursuing a career in buying.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify insights.
- Commercial curiosity and an interest in retail, food and consumer trends.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- A proactive and enthusiastic approach to learning and personal development.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
- A flexible and positive attitude, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- The confidence to take ownership of tasks and work independently when required.
- A passion for sustainability and a desire to support Abel & Cole's mission and values.
What We Offer:
- Structured training and mentoring
- Clear progression opportunities
- Support towards continued professional development
- 33 days inclusive of bank holidays (FTE)
- A free box of fruit and veg every week
- Up to 35% discount on A&C products
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grant on team sports
- Salary up to £32,000 (FTE), depending on experience
Graduate Grocery Buyer in London employer: Abel & Cole
Abel & Cole is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a supportive work culture and a commitment to professional growth. With flexible working options, generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, and a contributory pension scheme, the company fosters an environment where financial insights drive meaningful business performance. Join us in a role that not only enhances your analytical skills but also contributes to our mission of delivering exceptional service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Grocery Buyer in London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Abel & Cole, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Abel & Cole!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Grocery Buyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Abel & Cole, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Abel & Cole and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Abel & Cole that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abel & Cole
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
