At a Glance
- Tasks: Select and negotiate exceptional wines while driving category growth and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Waitrose, a leading employee-owned business focused on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Be a strategic leader in the wine industry and make a real impact on our offerings.
- Qualifications: Experience in wine buying and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 105200 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Wine Buyer to join the team here at Waitrose and Partners, on a fixed term contract for 12 months. In this role, you will focus on cultivating strong supplier partnerships, understanding customer needs, and actively seeking exceptional products to delight our audience.
Key responsibilities include:
- Analysing category performance, monitoring market trends, and identifying growth opportunities.
- Owning the creation of the annual category plan and leading its execution across all channels alongside cross-functional partners.
- Working closely with marketing and sales specialists to effectively define and activate our strategy.
- Being accountable for translating overall business visions into high-impact, category-level commercial plans.
- Leading a cross-functional Pod of multiple Partners to develop and deliver optimised range, pricing, and promotional strategies for your categories to drive profitable growth.
- Encouraging end-to-end thinking to inspire ownership, promote efficiency, and deliver results in a sustainable way.
- Building a clear supplier strategy for your area and nurturing strong supplier relationships.
- Pursuing cost-saving opportunities whilst maintaining quality and ethical standards.
- Managing the Category Pod suppliers, including selection of appropriate supply base, annual terms preparation and negotiation, and tracking performance against Supplier Joint Business Plans.
- Coaching and training L7 Buyers to deliver team purpose for their Category Pod.
- Facilitating horizontal working across Category Pods.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need:
- Wine qualification (preferably WSET Level 4 Diploma or Master of Wine) and/or demonstrable experience in wine tasting for value assessment.
- Experience as a Wines Buyer or equivalent commercial role.
- Experience of cross-functional matrix working.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to translate the Business and relevant Category Proposition Group vision into an effective plan at category level.
- Analytical skills and IT literacy.
- Supplier relationship management and cross-functional working.
Desirable skills/experience you may have:
- GAP, Scotwork or equivalent advanced negotiation training.
- Relevant professional qualifications.
Location: Bracknell. Expected salary: Salary up to £80,000 depending on experience. This is a 12 month Secondment/ Fixed Term Contract. The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business.
Senior Buyer, Wines in Bracknell employer: John Lewis
John Lewis is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where every employee is considered a Partner, sharing in the success and responsibilities of the business. With a focus on innovation and personal growth, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. Located in the heart of London, the role of Social Community Executive provides a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse community while contributing to a brand that values kindness, respect, and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer, Wines in Bracknell
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer, Wines in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to John Lewis:Don’t forget to personalise your application for John Lewis! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that John Lewis offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at John Lewis and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
