At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying and commercial strategy to create delicious, healthy food.
- Company: LEON, a fast food brand on a mission to do good through food.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of food, competitive salary, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team where your ideas can make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey to build the Earth’s favourite fast food brand.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial instincts, proactive mindset, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The opportunity LEON is at a pivotal moment. Our founder John Vincent has bought the business back with a clear ambition: to rebuild LEON as the Earth’s favourite fast food brand. This role sits right at the heart of that turnaround. We’re looking for someone commercially sharp, operationally strong and instinctively entrepreneurial. Someone who doesn’t wait to be asked, but spots problems early, builds solutions and brings them forward. This is a business being rebuilt. That means pace, ambiguity and the chance to shape how things work from the ground up. If you’re hungry, curious and excited by the idea of building something properly, this is a rare opportunity.
What you’ll be doing
- Buying & Commercial Ownership
Buying at LEON is not just about sourcing. It’s about building a menu that works - for our guests and for the business. You will take ownership of the commercial reality behind every product. That means understanding how ingredients, suppliers, pricing and portions come together to create food that tastes good, does you good, and delivers the right returns.
- Build and challenge cost prices with a clear understanding of where value sits
- Balance quality, sourcing and commercial targets without compromise to the core product
- Shape decisions on ingredients, formats and suppliers with both short and long-term thinking
- Ensure consistency and clarity in how products are costed and landed into the business
- Work closely with food, finance and operations to connect product decisions to real performance
You are expected to question, to challenge and to improve. We are rebuilding how we think about cost, value and quality. That requires someone who is commercially sharp, detail-oriented and confident enough to push for better. We see our suppliers as partners. Long-term relationships matter. We work collaboratively, with honesty and respect, to build something better together.
Supply & Planning Support
You’ll work closely with Supply Chain to ensure product lands in restaurants. This includes supporting and feeding into:
- Forecasting and volume planning
- Launch readiness
- Managing stock risk and write-offs
- Supplier performance (including Yates)
- Leading the Supply Chain team
You’ll connect commercial thinking with operational reality.
What we’re looking for
We’re interested in how you think, and how you operate. What matters is that you can join the dots commercially and act on them. We’re looking for someone who is:
- Commercially instinctive - you understand margins, pricing and trade-offs
- Proactive - you bring answers, not problems
- Comfortable with ambiguity - you can operate without everything being defined
- Agile and resourceful - you find a way through
- Organised but not rigid - you can bring structure where it’s missing
- Genuinely interested in food - ingredients, sourcing, how things are made
Most importantly, you’re hungry. You want responsibility. You want to build something.
About LEON
LEON was founded in 2004 with a simple idea: that food that tastes good should also do you good. Our purpose has always remained the same: to help people eat and live well. To help people enjoy the natural health that is rightfully theirs. This guides every decision we make. If something undermines trust, food quality or long-term health, we don’t do it. We are building what we call the Earth’s favourite fast food. Food that is full of flavour, rooted in ingredients, and part of real life moments. First dates, long journeys, late nights, celebrations, difficult days. We aim to be there for all of it. Our food comes from the soil. Our restaurants from their communities. Our culture from the heart. Everything we do is grounded in the belief that there should be no trade-off between what is good for you and what is joyful, beautiful and satisfying. There is a certain energy to LEON. Optimistic. Restless. Curious.
Senior Commercial & Buying Manager in City of London employer: Energy Jobline ZR
LEON is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of the City of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth and a culture that values curiosity and proactivity, team members are empowered to shape the future of fast food while enjoying the benefits of working for a brand committed to quality and sustainability. Join us at LEON, where your contributions directly impact our mission to create the Earth’s favourite fast food, all while being part of a supportive and energetic team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial & Buying Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks 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 those interviews by doing your homework. Research LEON’s values, their menu, and recent news about the company. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute to their mission of being the Earth’s favourite fast food brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Remember, they want someone who can think commercially and act proactively, so showcase that entrepreneurial spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about wanting to be part of the LEON team. Let’s get you in there and start building something amazing together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial & Buying Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Savvy:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your understanding of margins, pricing, and trade-offs. We want to see how you connect the dots commercially, so share examples that showcase your instinctive approach to buying and commercial ownership.
Be Proactive and Solution-Oriented:We love candidates who bring answers, not just problems. In your application, mention times when you've spotted issues early and built solutions. This will show us that you're the kind of person who takes initiative and thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Embrace Ambiguity:This role is all about navigating through uncertainty. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully operated in ambiguous situations before. We’re looking for someone who can find their way through challenges without everything being perfectly defined.
Express Your Passion for Food:Since we’re all about food that tastes good and does you good, let your love for ingredients and sourcing shine through in your application. Share your genuine interest in food and how it drives your professional decisions. Remember, we want to see your hunger for building something great!
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline ZR
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Commercial & Buying Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of margins, pricing, and trade-offs. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully managed costs and maximised value in previous roles.
✨Show Your Proactivity
LEON is looking for someone who brings solutions, not just problems. Prepare examples from your past where you identified issues early and implemented effective solutions. This will showcase your proactive mindset and ability to operate in ambiguity.
✨Connect the Dots
Be prepared to discuss how you can link commercial thinking with operational reality. Think about times when you've worked closely with supply chain teams or collaborated across departments to ensure product success. Highlight your ability to see the bigger picture.
✨Passion for Food
LEON values genuine interest in food and sourcing. Share your enthusiasm for ingredients and how they impact quality and taste. Discuss any experiences you have that relate to food trends or sustainable sourcing, as this aligns with LEON's mission.
