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- Tasks: Lead the strategy for Food & Beverage categories and drive sales in-store and online.
- Company: Fenwick is the UK's largest independent, family-owned department store group since 1882.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, birthday off, discounts, hybrid working, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Shape a market-leading offering while working in a dynamic, collaborative environment with a focus on innovation.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Food Buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for trends and customer experience.
- Other info: Join a heritage brand evolving for a bold future with over 2,000 colleagues.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a driven and experienced Buyer with a passion for food, looking for an opportunity to truly shape a market-leading Food & Beverage offering? If so, this could be the perfect role for you.
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic Food Buyer to lead the strategy and execution of our Food & Beverage categories at Fenwick with a key focus on our Flagship Food Hall in our Newcastle store and leading this offering across our other stores and online, you will be key in driving sales, maximising profitability, and strengthening our presence both in-store and online. You’ll be responsible for delivering a commercially sound product strategy that reflects the Fenwick brand while meeting the evolving needs of our local customers.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and curating ranges that are trend-led, customer-relevant, and commercially viable.
- Negotiating with suppliers to optimise margin and build strong, lasting relationships.
- Managing stock performance, product launches, and seasonal trading plans
- Spotting new opportunities, identifying innovative brands and product trends
- Working collaboratively across digital, marketing, and retail teams to enhance visibility and customer engagement.
About You
You’ll bring:
- 3+ years’ experience in Food Buying
- A sharp eye for product and emerging trends
- Proven commercial acumen and negotiation expertise
- Strong supplier relationships and the confidence to influence at all levels
- A data-driven yet intuitive approach to decision-making
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- A passion for innovation, storytelling, and customer experience
When you join Fenwick, you’ll enjoy:
- 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
- Your birthday off every year
- Option to buy up to 5 extra holidays annually
- Up to 25% discount in-store and online
- WeCare – 24/7 GP, wellbeing & support service
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Hybrid working for better work-life balance
Fantastically Fenwick
Since 1882, Fenwick has been the home of style, beauty and inspiration. We’re proud to be the UK’s largest independent, family-owned department store group.
Today, over 2,000 colleagues power our stores, restaurants, distribution centre and support functions. Together, we’re evolving a heritage brand with a bold future.
Join us on our journey — where tradition meets transformation.
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Buyer employer: Fenwick
Contact Detail:
Fenwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the Food & Beverage industry. Follow relevant blogs, social media accounts, and attend trade shows to stay ahead of the curve. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food buying sector. Attend industry events or join online forums where you can connect with others in the field. Building relationships can lead to valuable insights and potential referrals that may help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and successes in detail. Think of specific examples where you've optimised margins or built strong supplier relationships. This will showcase your commercial acumen and ability to influence at all levels.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Fenwick's current Food & Beverage offerings and identify areas for improvement or innovation. Being able to present your ideas during the interview will show your proactive approach and genuine interest in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in food buying, particularly any roles where you've developed product strategies or negotiated with suppliers. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commercial acumen and trend awareness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and how it aligns with Fenwick's brand. Discuss your approach to developing customer-relevant ranges and how you can contribute to their flagship Food Hall.
Showcase Your Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as sales growth percentages or successful product launches. This will help illustrate your impact in previous roles and your potential value to Fenwick.
Research Fenwick: Familiarise yourself with Fenwick's brand values, current offerings, and market position. Understanding their unique selling points will allow you to tailor your application and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for food and the Food & Beverage industry during the interview. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your passion, as this role is all about shaping a market-leading offering.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations with suppliers where you successfully optimised margins or built strong relationships. This will showcase your expertise and confidence in influencing at all levels, which is crucial for the Buyer position.
✨Highlight Your Trend Awareness
Be ready to discuss current food trends and how they can be applied to Fenwick's product strategy. Show that you have a sharp eye for emerging trends and can curate ranges that are both customer-relevant and commercially viable.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Experience
Since the role involves working closely with digital, marketing, and retail teams, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight your ability to enhance visibility and customer engagement through teamwork.
