Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a premium food category, driving sales and supplier partnerships.
- Company: Fast-growing, innovative food business focused on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team passionate about quality food and ethical sourcing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while promoting sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying within food/FMCG and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
A fast-growing, premium food business is looking for a Buying Manager to lead a key commercial retail category. This category includes a curated mix of branded and own-label products, from high-quality accompaniments to complementary food and drink ranges, designed to enhance the customer experience and drive incremental sales.
The Role
You’ll take full ownership of the retail category, with responsibility across product selection, supplier partnerships, and commercial performance. You’ll work cross-functionally with creative, operational, and technical teams to deliver an engaging, high-performing range.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning category performance, including sales, profit, and budget delivery
- Driving commercial initiatives to improve margin and optimise cost
- Leading supplier strategy, from sourcing and negotiation through to performance management
- Building and nurturing relationships with high-quality, values-driven suppliers
- Identifying and onboarding new partners aligned to the brand vision
- Leading new product development in collaboration with internal teams
- Managing in-store merchandising strategy across shelves, fridges, and till areas
- Partnering with internal stakeholders to balance creativity with operational execution
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines strong commercial acumen with a passion for food and sustainability:
- Proven experience at Buying Manager level (or similar) within food/FMCG
- Strong negotiation and procurement expertise
- Strategic thinker with experience delivering category plans and budgets
- Skilled in building meaningful supplier relationships, particularly with smaller producers
- Passionate about ethical sourcing, sustainability, and quality food
Buying Manager employer: JSS
Contact Detail:
JSS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food and FMCG industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for food and sustainability during interviews. Share your experiences and insights about ethical sourcing and quality food. This will not only highlight your expertise but also demonstrate that you align with the company’s values.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you’ve driven commercial initiatives or improved margins in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Buying Manager role. Highlight your achievements in food/FMCG, especially around supplier relationships and category management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about food and sustainability. Share specific examples of how you've driven commercial initiatives or improved margins in previous roles.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key for this role, include examples of successful negotiations you've led. We want to see how you’ve built relationships with suppliers and achieved great outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at JSS
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the food and FMCG sector. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and the specific products the company offers. This will not only show your passion for the industry but also demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive category performance.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you’ve built relationships with suppliers and improved margins. This is crucial for a Buying Manager role, so be ready to discuss your approach to sourcing and performance management.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Sustainability
Since the company values ethical sourcing and sustainability, come prepared to discuss your views on these topics. Share any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that align with their vision. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a personal level.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration is Key
Be ready to talk about your experience working with different teams, such as creative and operational. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated to deliver high-performing product ranges. This will illustrate your ability to balance creativity with operational execution, which is vital for the role.