At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the FMCG strategy and drive category growth in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Company: Join one of the UK's fastest-growing value retailers with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free parking, and exclusive offers for colleagues.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team committed to diversity and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of FMCG while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in FMCG buying and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced
Senior Buying Manager - FMCG to lead the commercial strategy and category performance of one of the UK's fastest-growing value retailers.
This is a high-profile leadership role with full accountability for delivering a profitable, customer-focused and market-leading FMCG proposition.
You'll drive category growth across branded and private label ranges, leading a team of buying professionals while working closely with Supply Chain, Merchandising, Marketing, Finance and Retail Operations.
You will play a key role in shaping the future of B&M's FMCG offer, ensuring we remain competitive on price, availability, innovation and value while maximising sales, market share and profitability.
In this role you will be responsible for
- Developing and delivering the long-term FMCG category strategy, aligned to B&M's commercial objectives, customer proposition and growth ambitions.
- Owning full category P&L accountability, including sales, margin, stock, promotional investment, cash generation and profit performance.
- Leading and developing a high-performing buying team, creating a commercially focused and results-driven culture.
- Identifying emerging consumer, shopper and market trends within FMCG to drive category growth, innovation and competitive advantage.
- Managing branded and own-label portfolios, ensuring a compelling customer offer across everyday essentials, seasonal products and promotional activity.
- Building strategic relationships with key FMCG manufacturers and suppliers, negotiating annual trading agreements, promotional plans and cost prices to maximise commercial performance.
- Driving category performance through pricing, promotional effectiveness, range optimisation, availability and stock management.
- Using market, customer and performance data to identify growth opportunities and improve category productivity.
- Working closely with Supply Chain and Merchandising teams to ensure accurate forecasting, stock availability and operational execution.
- Leading regular category reviews, reacting quickly to market changes, competitor activity and evolving consumer demand.
- Identifying opportunities for NPD, range expansion and supplier innovation to strengthen B&M's FMCG proposition.
- Supporting succession planning and talent development within the wider commercial function.
The skills & experience you'll bring
- Significant senior-level experience within
FMCG buying, category management, commercial trading or procurement .
- Strong understanding of FMCG markets, consumer behaviour, promotional planning and category growth strategies.
- Proven experience managing major branded supplier relationships and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
- Demonstrable success delivering sales, margin and market share growth within high-volume FMCG categories.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing category P&L performance.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing commercial teams in a fast-paced retail, grocery or FMCG environment.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Highly analytical, with the ability to translate data and consumer insights into commercial decisions.
- Strong understanding of pricing architecture, promotional effectiveness, range planning and category performance metrics.
- Experience within grocery, convenience, discount retail or FMCG sectors would be highly advantageous.
- Knowledge of own-label development, supplier sourcing strategies and category innovation would be beneficial.
- A hands-on, entrepreneurial approach with the ability to balance strategic leadership and day-to-day trading delivery.
Why B&M?
- discount in our stores
- free parking for all colleagues in our Support Centre
- colleague portal offering additional discount for retailers
- hospitality
- Check out our full benefits here – https://careers. bmstores. co. uk/our-bm-benefits/
B&M Retail are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all colleagues.
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Senior Buying Manager - FMCG in Liverpool employer: B&M Retail Limited
B&M is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact as a Security Officer in Peterborough. With a strong focus on integrity, teamwork, and personal development, employees enjoy a supportive work culture that values their contributions. The company offers a range of benefits, including store discounts and opportunities for career growth within a rapidly expanding business, making it an attractive place for individuals seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buying Manager - FMCG in Liverpool
✨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 B&M Retail Limited, 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 B&M Retail Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buying Manager - FMCG in Liverpool
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 B&M Retail Limited, 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 B&M Retail Limited 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 B&M Retail Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&M Retail Limited
✨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!
