Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
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.
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!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
