At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategic sourcing and negotiate with suppliers for the best value.
- Company: Join Asda, a leading retailer with a focus on collaboration and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonus, and excellent wellbeing services.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising costs and enhancing supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement with strong analytical and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for a highly motivated and analytical Strategic Buying Manager to drive strategic sourcing and support key supplier negotiations, ensuring the best value for ASDA and our customers. The role is crucial in ensuring we track and unlock value from input cost movements (e.g. food ingredients). The role will focus on identifying opportunities to lower cost, supporting our commercial colleagues through negotiation preparation and execution, and providing data-driven insights to BU superusers and other key business stakeholders through the effective leveraging and ownership of data.
- Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: Lead and support sourcing initiatives as part of the COGS optimisation programme, including supplier negotiation approaches, bespoke supplier analysis, and counter-offer appraisal across Own Brand and Branded opportunities.
- Data Analysis & Insights: Leverage data to inform commodity analysis and negotiation leverage including historical trends of raw materials, value added costs, and actual costs, while overseeing quality and accuracy of data in the tool. Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights informing sourcing strategies and supporting negotiations across all categories.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Confidently present analytical findings, recommendations, and dashboard reporting to a diverse range of internal stakeholders, including commercial, finance, and operational teams, while collating feedback to continuously enhance approaches.
- Buying & Negotiation Experience: Demonstrable track record in a buying, procurement, or sourcing role, with strong negotiation skills and understanding of supplier relationship management.
- Analytical Acumen: Highly analytical with proficiency in MS Excel and a solid understanding of financial information analysis. Comfortable with interpreting data and dashboards.
- Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex analysis clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Commercial Awareness: A keen understanding of market dynamics and commercial drivers within Asda and our supplier base.
To ensure we balance moments where we know we need to collaborate together and the need for flexibility, Asda has a hybrid way of working with a minimum 3 days a week in one of our Home Offices. Over and above this, each area of Asda may have additional requirements which may require spending more days in the office, visiting suppliers, stores or depots.
You will also get an excellent benefits package including:
- Discretionary company bonus
- Company pension up to 7% matched
- Company Car allowance of £5,700
- 15% colleague discount in store and online
- Free access to wellbeing services such as Stream, 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, health and dental cash plans and a 24/7 employee assistance helpline, alongside discounts across a range of services and activities, from airport parking to theme parks and cinemas.
- Asda Allies Inclusion Networks – helping colleagues to make sure everybody is included and that our differences are recognised and celebrated
- Excellent parental leave policies, including maternity & adoption leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave, and support for those doing fertility treatments.
We want all colleagues to be able to bring their best and true selves to work, every day. Simply put, we want our colleagues to be Proud to be Asda and proud to be themselves.
Strategic Buying Manager employer: Asda Stores
Asda is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including a discretionary company bonus, generous pension contributions, and access to wellbeing services. With a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility and collaboration, employees can thrive in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone feels proud to be part of the Asda family.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Buying Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Asda's values and recent news. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their goals, especially in strategic sourcing and negotiation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! Since you'll be presenting data-driven insights, make sure you can clearly articulate complex information. Use mock interviews to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Asda team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Buying Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategic Buying Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in buying, procurement, and data analysis, and show us how you can drive value for ASDA.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about data-driven insights, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical acumen. Use specific examples of how you've leveraged data in past roles to inform decisions or strategies.
Communicate Clearly:We want to see your excellent communication skills shine through in your application. Make sure your writing is clear and persuasive, especially when explaining complex concepts or data insights.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Asda Stores
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Buying Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with data. Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive decisions. Prepare examples of how you've leveraged data for cost optimisation or supplier negotiations.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Negotiation is key in this role, so think about your past experiences. Be prepared to share specific instances where you successfully negotiated terms with suppliers. Highlight your strategies and the outcomes, showing how you can bring value to Asda.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
You'll be presenting to various teams, so practice articulating complex analyses in a clear and engaging way. Consider preparing a mock presentation based on a previous project, focusing on how you communicated insights and gathered feedback from stakeholders.
✨Stay Updated on Market Trends
Understanding market dynamics is crucial. Research current trends in the food industry and be ready to discuss how these might impact sourcing strategies. Showing that you're proactive about staying informed will impress your interviewers.
