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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 with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, birthday off, discounts, hybrid working, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Shape a market-leading offering while collaborating in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Food Buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for trends.
- Other info: Join a team that values tradition and innovation since 1882.
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.
When you join Fenwick, you\’ll receive:
- 33 days annual leave (inclusive of 8 bank holidays) and a buying holiday benefits scheme in which you are eligible to buy a further 5 days across the year.
- Your birthday off as an additional day annual leave – this can be taken any day within your birth month.
- Up to 25% discount in all Fenwick stores and fenwick.co.uk.
- \’Perks*\’ – a great way to get Retail, Leisure & Hospitality discounts, exclusive deals, and cashback on a wide range of products.
- WeCare -24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service.
About the Role
We\’re looking for an experienced Food Buyer to lead the strategy and execution of Fenwick\’s Food & Beverage category, with a key focus on our flagship Food Hall in Newcastle and the wider multichannel offer across stores and online. This role is central to driving sales, profitability and market share, delivering a compelling product range that reflects the Fenwick brand while meeting the needs of local customers.
You\’ll own the end-to-end buying process, from range planning and supplier negotiations through to trading, launches and seasonal strategies. With a sharp commercial mindset, you\’ll identify emerging trends and innovative brands, optimise margins and stock performance, and work closely with suppliers to build strong, value-driven partnerships. Insight-led decision-making will be key as you analyse trading performance and spot opportunities for growth and efficiency.
Working collaboratively with Retail, Digital, Marketing and support teams, you\’ll help shape a customer-first Food & Beverage offer that drives engagement both in-store and online. This role suits a buyer with proven food buying experience, strong influencing skills and a passion for innovation, storytelling and delivering outstanding customer experiences.
What we are looking for in a candidate…
- 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
- Experience in developing product strategies and building business cases
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- A passion for innovation, storytelling, and customer experience
About Fenwick
Fenwick is rich with heritage and history and have been style pioneers since 1882 when our first store opened. We know luxury and are proud to remain the largest independent, family-owned group of department stores within the UK. We are on an exciting journey to exceed our customers\’ expectations and we are always on the lookout for new talent to join us.
Our collaborative spirit unites a workforce of over 2,000 individuals across our stores, as well as in our support functions, encompassing Digital, Buying & Merchandising, IT, Finance, People, Customer Service teams, and our cherished restaurants and distribution centres.
In 2023 we launched our \’Quiet No More\’ campaign, enhancing our presence on the UK high street as well as our eCommerce website going from strength to strength. Together, we form the beating heart of Fenwick, driving forward our vision for excellence and innovation. Join us as we pave the way toward an even brighter tomorrow, where tradition meets transformation!
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, which are key for this role.
✨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. Emphasise your achievements in developing product strategies, managing supplier relationships, and driving sales in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and your understanding of market trends. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or launched new products.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since the role requires a data-driven approach, include any relevant experience you have with data analysis or decision-making based on market insights. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Mention any past experiences where you worked collaboratively with marketing, digital, or retail teams. This will show that you can enhance visibility and customer engagement, which is key for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and the Food & Beverage industry during the interview. Share specific examples of how your passion has driven your previous successes in buying roles, as this will resonate well with the company's focus on shaping a market-leading offering.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and experiences. Fenwick values strong supplier relationships, so be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully negotiated terms that benefited both parties, showcasing your commercial acumen.
✨Highlight Your Trend Awareness
Be prepared to talk about current food trends and how you identify emerging products. Discuss any innovative brands you've worked with and how you've curated ranges that are both customer-relevant and commercially viable, aligning with Fenwick's goals.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Experience
Since the role involves working across various teams, share examples of how you've collaborated with digital, marketing, and retail teams in the past. Highlight any successful projects that enhanced visibility and customer engagement, demonstrating your ability to thrive in a collaborative environment.
