Senior Buying Manager Fresh Produce

£93,500 - £103,400 | 35 days’ holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount | Pension scheme

Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table - but we also have a whole lot in common. We’re curious, collaborative, and ready to make a tangible impact on where we work.

Our award-winning Buying Department is looking for an experienced Fresh Produce Senior Buying Manager to join the team. You’ll be the architect of our market-leading Fresh Produce section, influencing everything from the vibrant colour of our tomatoes to the crispness of our seasonal greens. As a Senior Buying Manager, you’ll thrive in our fast-paced, dynamic environment where your voice truly matters. You will be the driving force behind our fresh produce range, curating the seasonal fruits and vegetables that line our shelves. You have a true enthusiasm for food retail and a keen eye for quality. You are self-driven, commercially perceptive, and possess the drive to negotiate the best deals for our customers.

Our network of over 1,000 stores depends on your vision as a Fresh Produce Senior Buying Manager. It is your expertise that ensures the industry's highest quality products are on our shelves when the doors open at 8:00 AM, delighting our customers and reinforcing our reputation for exceptional value. If you bring a proactive mindset and a drive to excel within a fast-moving, award-winning retail environment, we would love to hear from you.

At Lidl, we offer a hybrid working model to give you the best of both worlds. Spend three days or more in our state-of-the-art office, where you can enjoy an on-site gym, restaurant, and more of the perks you deserve. And with up to two days at home, you’ll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.

What you’ll do:

• Take end-to-end accountability for the journey of our fruit and vegetables, from the farm gate to the shelf edge.
• Confidently oversee multi-million-pound investments across volatile global commodity and fresh produce markets.
• Build a world-class supplier network and navigate complex commercial agreements with growers around the world.
• Lead rigorous quality inspections and sensory assessments to perfect appearance and texture, ensuring every batch meets our strict benchmarks.
• Direct the creative and commercial aspects of your category, from initial sample tastings to the final sign-off on packaging and presentation.
• Develop strategic logistics solutions to ensure produce lands in our Regional Distribution Centres exactly when needed to stock our 1,000+ stores.
• Present confidently to Buying Directors and Board Directors, and seamlessly deputise for the Head of Department when required.
• Actively mentor, train, and upskill junior buyers to build a high-performing department.
• Act as the designated deputy for the Head of Department, taking ownership of high-level decisions and supporting the wider team's success.

What you’ll need:

• Established background as a Senior Buyer. Experience specifically within Fresh Produce or a similar commercial food retail role is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated success leading complex supplier negotiations, coupled with a deep understanding of how seasonality, weather, and commodity costs impact yield and pricing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fresh produce production—spanning varietal differences, growing conditions, post-harvest handling, and shelf life—and how these factors drive customer satisfaction.
• Confident and articulate, with the conviction to stand firmly behind your ideas and the authority to influence stakeholders and deputise for Heads of Departments.
• Known for being highly pragmatic, logical, and exceptionally quick-thinking in a fast-paced environment.
• A full UK driving licence, plus residence (or willingness to relocate) within a one-hour commute of the Lidl GB Head Office in Tolworth.
• German language proficiency is desirable, though not essential.

What you’ll receive:

• 35 days holiday (pro rata).
• 10% in-store discount.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Pension scheme.
• Plus, more of the perks you deserve.

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment.