Buyer - Foods

Buyer - Foods

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: As a Buyer, you'll source top-quality meat products and collaborate with suppliers across the UK and Europe.
  • Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leader in retail known for innovation and exceptional quality.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support including a 24/7 Virtual GP.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, customer satisfaction, and making a positive impact.
  • Qualifications: We're looking for strong negotiators with commercial savvy and excellent communication skills.
  • Other info: We embrace diversity and support all applicants throughout the recruitment process.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

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Are you ready to carve out a bold new chapter in your career?
Join our team as Buyers across a variety of meat categories.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with some of the most respected suppliers and producers in the meat industry at a pivotal time in our business growth. We’re proud to lead the market in seasonal innovation, premium quality, and core range excellence. Whether you\’re passionate about sourcing the finest cuts or driving category performance, there\’s a place for you here.

As a Buyer, you will collaborate with some of the best suppliers in the UK and Europe, sourcing and selecting products that ensure our ranges are diverse, competitive, and of the highest quality. You’ll build and maintain strong relationships with these suppliers, negotiating to achieve the best value while upholding our reputation for excellence. Working with the product development team to stay ahead of food trends is key, as you see opportunities to innovate and evolve our products. Working closely with our supply chain, marketing, range & display, and store operations teams, you’ll ensure successful launches and promotions of products that excite and inspire our customers.

If you have a passion for retail and delectable treats, a keen eye for quality, and excellent negotiation skills, we would love to hear from you! Join us and be a part of a team that values innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

What’s in it for you

Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…

  • After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
  • Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
  • Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
  • A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
  • A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
  • Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
  • Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
  • Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
  • A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you\’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.

What you’ll do

Your key accountabilities will include

  • Drive sales and profit in line with operating plan budgets
  • Drive market share performance
  • Lead relationship with suppliers through effective commercial management
  • Prepare and agree category plan with Management Team through analysis of customer insight, sales and trends
  • Set effective range strategies to optimise selling format and product choice, understanding space requirements

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

  • Decision making
  • Commercial savvy and negotiation skills
  • Strong communication and influencing skills
  • Analysis of commercial and customer information to seize & deliver commercial opportunities

Everyone’s welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you\’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

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Buyer - Foods employer: Marks and Spencer

At Marks & Spencer, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic employer that values innovation and quality. As a Buyer in the Foods category, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and personal growth, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous discount, flexible holiday options, and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in a pivotal role where your passion for retail and excellence can truly make a difference in delivering exceptional products to our customers.
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Contact Detail:

Marks and Spencer Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Buyer - Foods

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the meat industry. Understanding seasonal innovations and premium quality standards will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the food sourcing and retail sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with suppliers and other buyers, which can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to showcase your negotiation skills through real-life examples. Think of specific instances where you've successfully negotiated deals or resolved conflicts, as this will highlight your commercial savvy during discussions.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Marks & Spencer's values and recent initiatives. Being able to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding quality and customer satisfaction, will make a strong impression during your interview.

We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Foods

Negotiation Skills
Commercial Awareness
Supplier Relationship Management
Analytical Skills
Decision-Making
Communication Skills
Trend Analysis
Product Development Collaboration
Sales Strategy Development
Market Share Analysis
Customer Insight Analysis
Team Collaboration
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying, negotiation, and supplier management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in these areas, particularly in the food industry.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for retail and your understanding of market trends. Mention how your skills align with the company's values and goals, especially regarding quality and innovation.

Highlight Key Skills: In your application, emphasise your decision-making abilities, commercial savvy, and strong communication skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully influenced outcomes in previous roles.

Showcase Your Knowledge of the Industry: Demonstrate your understanding of the meat industry and current food trends. Mention any relevant experience or insights that could help you excel as a Buyer, showing that you're proactive and informed.

How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer

✨Research the Company and Industry

Before your interview, take the time to research Marks & Spencer and the meat industry. Understand their values, recent innovations, and market position. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit for the role.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

As a Buyer, strong negotiation skills are crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated with suppliers or improved product offerings. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes.

✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Abilities

The role requires analysing commercial and customer information. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methods you used to analyse trends and drive performance.

✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers

Having thoughtful questions ready shows your interest in the role and the company. Ask about their approach to supplier relationships, how they stay ahead of food trends, or what success looks like in this position. This will also help you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

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