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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the strategy for our Food & Beverage categories and drive sales.
- Company: Fenwick is the UK's largest independent, family-owned department store group since 1882.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, birthday off, discounts, and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Shape a market-leading offering while collaborating in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Food Buying with strong negotiation skills and trend awareness.
- Other info: Join a heritage brand evolving for a bold future.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
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.
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 updated. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and expertise during interviews.
✨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 for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and successes in previous roles. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've optimised margins and built strong supplier relationships, as these are key aspects of the Buyer position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Fenwick's brand values and product offerings thoroughly. Understanding their unique market position will allow you to tailor your approach and show how you can contribute to their vision for the Food Hall and beyond.
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.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and your understanding of the market. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or identified emerging trends.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since the role requires a data-driven approach, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to analyse data and make informed decisions based on market trends.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: The job involves working with various teams. Be sure to mention any past experiences where you collaborated with marketing, digital, or retail teams to enhance customer engagement and visibility.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and beverage trends during the interview. Share specific examples of how your passion has influenced your buying decisions in the past, as this role is all about curating a market-leading offering.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss your negotiation experiences with suppliers. Highlight successful outcomes and how you built strong relationships, as these skills are crucial for maximising margins and ensuring product availability.
✨Be Data-Driven Yet Intuitive
Showcase your ability to analyse data while also trusting your instincts. Discuss how you've used data to inform your buying strategies and how you balance this with an understanding of customer preferences and emerging trends.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Emphasise your experience working with cross-functional teams. Provide examples of how you've collaborated with marketing, digital, and retail teams to enhance product visibility and customer engagement, as this is key to succeeding in this role.
