At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy for a high-spend Bakery category and drive sales growth.
- Company: Join a leading UK retailer with a dynamic commercial team in Bradford.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and excellent benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive, high-performance culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Bakery products and make a real impact on customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Buying or Senior Buyer roles within fast-paced retail.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
K.A.G. Recruitment is partnering exclusively with a leading UK retailer in their search to find a Buying Manager to join their Commercial team based in Bradford.
Role: Buying Manager - Bakery
Salary: 55,000 - 65,000 DOE + Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week (Hybrid working - minimum 3 days office based)
Purpose of the Role
As the Buying Manager you will be responsible for developing and delivering category plans across a high-spend Bakery category, ensuring the delivery of commercially competitive ranges that drive sales, profit and customer satisfaction. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will lead category strategy development, negotiate supplier agreements and utilise customer and market insight to deliver compelling propositions that support business growth and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver category plans for a complex Bakery category, driving sales, profitability and margin performance
- Negotiate with suppliers, build strong partnerships and implement robust supplier plans
- Use customer insight, market trends and competitor analysis to develop effective category strategies
- Work cross-functionally to deliver compelling customer propositions focused on quality, value and innovation
- Drive continuous improvement in category performance and customer experience
- Promote a high-performance culture, supporting the development and growth of colleagues
- Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and supplier standards
About You
You will be an experienced Buying Manager or Senior Buyer with a proven track record in Bakery categories and delivering commercial growth within a fast-paced retail environment. You will demonstrate:
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
- Experience developing and implementing successful category strategies
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- A customer-focused approach with a passion for delivering exceptional product ranges
- Experience operating within complex, competitive markets
- The ability to influence, collaborate and drive results across multiple business functions
- High levels of drive, energy and enthusiasm, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Buying professional to join a highly successful organisation and play a key role in shaping the future of a major Bakery category.
Buying Manager employer: KAG Recruitment Consultancy
KAG Recruitment Consultancy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic IT Graduate Rotational Programme in Birmingham that fosters significant career growth within the Food Manufacturing sector. With a competitive salary of £32,000 and opportunities to work with advanced technologies across various sites, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and professional development.
Contact Details:
KAG Recruitment Consultancy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like KAG Recruitment Consultancy, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like KAG Recruitment Consultancy!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at KAG Recruitment Consultancy, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at KAG Recruitment Consultancy and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show KAG Recruitment Consultancy that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at KAG Recruitment Consultancy
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
