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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for grocery, health, and beauty products while managing a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a top-tier food retailer known for quality and ethical sourcing, part of a global powerhouse.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonuses, share options, and hybrid working flexibility.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation in retail, driving growth and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as a head of buying or senior buyer is essential; creativity and problem-solving skills are a must.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant London location with a people-centric culture that values authenticity.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 133000 £ per year.
A market leading food retailer is looking to recruit for a head of buying; covering grocery, health and beauty and well-being, to join its established team in London. Part of one of the largest companies in the world, this retailer specialises in providing the highest quality product to its customers. Their mission is to provide the highest quality products, sourced in the most ethical way, that has a strong heritage from its local suppliers. The company puts the customer at the heart of everything they do. This retailer has a highly people centric culture and encourages every employee to be their own authentic version of themselves. This is a very exciting time to join this business as they have plans to triple in size over the coming years.
The head of buying will oversee the most high-profile assortment of products within the company, accounting for the largest turnover. You’ll be responsible for driving the commercial strategy across grocery, ambient and health & well-being products. You’ll work as the number two in the UK structure, working closely with the commercial director to identify ways to grow turnover and profitability over the next three to five years. The role will see you managing a team of eight, seeing you take personal responsibility for their training, development and succession within the organisation.
The successful candidate will have gained experience at a head of buying, senior buyer or category manager level. You will be highly energised and motivated, someone who is able to think outside the box and bring a problem solver approach to the organisation. You are able to do things differently from typical food retail, new ideas, different ways of doing things are encouraged. This role has a very high profile within the organisation and you’ll be taking the lead, as the face of the company internally and externally. You’ll be a highly commercial individual, great communicator, confident yet humble.
In return the role is paying up to £95,000 as a basic salary, plus an annual bonus of up to £14,000. There are share options given to you each year which totals around €26,000, vesting every two years. The office base is in the City in a beautiful area of London and includes the option of hybrid working, with lots of local shops and food outlets that blend office working, with relaxing during lunchtime and refreshment breaks.
Grocery Head of Buying employer: Food Retailer
Contact Detail:
Food Retailer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grocery Head of Buying
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the grocery and retail sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who can provide insights into the company culture and possibly refer you internally.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company's recent initiatives and growth plans. Understanding their mission to triple in size will help you tailor your discussions around how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their commercial strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss innovative ideas that could enhance their product assortment. Given their encouragement for thinking outside the box, come equipped with examples of successful strategies you've implemented in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've developed teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully trained and mentored team members, as this role involves managing a team of eight.
We think you need these skills to ace Grocery Head of Buying
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying, particularly in grocery, health and beauty, and well-being sectors. Use specific examples of how you've driven commercial strategies and managed teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the food retail industry and align your values with the company's mission of ethical sourcing and customer-centricity. Mention your innovative approach to problem-solving and how you can contribute to their growth plans.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership experience in managing teams and developing talent. Provide examples of how you've successfully trained and mentored team members, as this role involves personal responsibility for their development.
Highlight Commercial Acumen: Demonstrate your understanding of commercial strategies by including metrics or achievements that showcase your ability to grow turnover and profitability. This will show that you are not just a great communicator but also a highly commercial individual.
How to prepare for a job interview at Food Retailer
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
As a head of buying, you'll need to demonstrate a strong understanding of commercial strategy. Prepare examples of how you've driven turnover and profitability in previous roles, and be ready to discuss innovative ideas that could benefit the company.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
You'll be managing a team of eight, so it's crucial to highlight your experience in training and developing others. Share specific instances where you've successfully led a team, focusing on how you fostered their growth and succession within the organisation.
✨Align with Their Customer-Centric Culture
This retailer places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. Be prepared to discuss how you've put customers at the heart of your previous strategies and how you plan to continue this approach in your new role.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
The company is looking for someone who can think outside the box. Come equipped with examples of challenges you've faced in the past and how your creative solutions led to successful outcomes. This will show your potential to bring fresh ideas to the table.