At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative ambient food strategies and inspire your buying team.
- Company: Join a prestigious flagship store in central London with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous discounts, 25 days holiday, and a fantastic staff restaurant.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that celebrates diversity and nurtures talent.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food excellence while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in buying, strong commercial awareness, and a passion for food trends.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 € per year.
Our Head Office department is in the heart of Piccadilly and occupies the 5th & 6th floor of our beautiful flagship store. This central London location offers so much to explore including restaurants, bars, cultural sites, shopping and more, and only a short walk from the Green Park Tube Station and plenty of bus stops.
As a Senior Buyer you will develop and implement the ambient food strategy and plan, in line with our overarching business strategy, ensuring customer experience and sustainability are at the heart of the offering. You will develop a 'fit for the future' supply base for our ambient food ranges, with a focus on innovation, creativity & quality. You will support and develop your buying teams.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the development of the product offer for your categories, ensuring that clear strategies and commercial plans are developed, implemented, and executed to drive strong sales growth, profit and excellent quality standards.
- Develop the supply base to ensure we have the right mix of artisanal quality to underpin our food excellence ambitions, as well as suppliers with the scale to support our growth ambitions and international expansion.
- Maintain your knowledge of market trends and competitor intelligence and benchmark appropriately.
- Review opportunities for new product categories.
- Support and develop your team by providing and sharing knowledge on good buying foundations, supply base, market, and competitor analysis.
- Support Buyers in their management of the critical paths and plans to deliver on time deliveries in accordance with the buying calendar and ensure accuracy of information.
- Inspire, manage, and coach the team in line with good industry practices and ensuring our teams are valued, respected and empowered.
- Support the development of clear ways of working and processes that support agility and creativity to deliver extraordinary, quality product.
- Inspire the wider business with passion.
- Strong commercial and competitor awareness.
- Plus 5 years' experience in a buying role, ideally within ambient food.
- Understanding of current sustainability challenges and opportunities across the globe.
- Able to articulate complex situations in a simple manner.
- Able to deliver presentations across all areas of the business with a key eye on our customer and market needs.
- Critical path management and able to try and improve lead times and supply base.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills with a focus on margin and risk.
- Great relationship management and able to build strong performing team.
- High level of product specific knowledge, with a strong palate & eye for design.
- Attention to detail across areas of the product cycle.
- A huge passion for food including current trends across different markets.
- Competitive salary.
- A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%.
- 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday.
- A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum's ingredients.
- A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally.
- Excellent pension scheme.
We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment. In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.
Senior Buyer employer: Fortnum & Mason
Join our vibrant team at the heart of Piccadilly, where we prioritise innovation and sustainability in our ambient food offerings. With a competitive salary, generous discounts, and a commitment to personal and professional growth, we foster an inclusive work culture that celebrates diversity and empowers our employees. Experience the excitement of working in a flagship store surrounded by the best of London, while contributing to a company that values your talent and passion for food.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage with potential employers on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Senior Buyer role! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining our team. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Talk about your favourite trends, products, or experiences that relate to the ambient food sector. We want to see that you’re not just a buyer, but someone who truly cares about what they’re bringing to the table.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication, so keep your application clear and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without fluff. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can articulate complex ideas simply, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Senior Buyer role. Reference specific responsibilities from the job description and explain how your background aligns with them. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fortnum & Mason
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into current market trends and competitor strategies in the ambient food sector. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re proactive and passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Buyer, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in achieving sales growth or improving processes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially around critical path management and supplier negotiations. Think of scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges and be ready to discuss your thought process.
✨Passion for Food is Key
Your love for food should shine through during the interview. Be prepared to discuss your favourite food trends and how they can influence product offerings. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the company culture.
