Buyer - Spirits

Buyer - Spirits

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Master of Malt

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build relationships with suppliers and drive growth in the spirits category.
  • Company: Join Master of Malt, a vibrant player in the global spirits market.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and generous staff discounts.
  • Other info: Collaborate with senior leadership and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of our supplier base and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in the UK drinks industry and strong negotiation skills.

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

Join Our Team as a Spirits Buyer. At Master of Malt, we trade with over 600 suppliers, from global spirits icons to "mom and pop" craft distilleries. While our top-tier partnerships are thriving, we are looking for a commercially driven Buyer to unlock the untapped potential within our "mid-to-long tail" supplier base. This isn’t a role for someone who wants to manage a legacy portfolio; it’s for a hunter-gatherer who sees a list of 500+ under-engaged suppliers and sees a massive opportunity for growth.

You will be responsible for building relationships where they haven’t existed before, negotiating better terms, and ensuring that MOM remains the first choice for every brand in the UK spirits market. As part of our vibrant team, you will collaborate closely with other departments including Marketing, Master of Malt Trade and our Sales teams to optimise our product mix and price positioning. Your expertise in the spirits category will drive our success in achieving sales targets and enhancing our brand’s reputation as a top destination for craft spirits.

Ready to help us expand our exceptional spirits range? Join us in crafting an extraordinary customer experience and building something remarkable together.

Requirements
  • Supplier Partnership Growth: Take ownership of these relationships. Moving the priority suppliers from transactional to strategic, and ensuring they understand the power of the MOM platform.
  • Commercial Negotiation: Drive COGS savings across your portfolio and deliver incremental supplier investment into the business through trade/retail contributions, as well as seasonal activations (e.g., Advent).
  • Range Architecture: Build a compelling, customer-first range, identify "in-demand" products as well as future trends, and answer the 'Why MOM' question by securing exclusive bundles, bespoke bottlings, and first-to-market launches that differentiate us from the broader market.
  • End-to-End Accountability: Manage the full lifecycle of your products, from initial cost negotiation to maximising sell-out and improving the cash conversion cycle.
  • Joint Business Planning (JBP): Implement formal JBPs with key and emerging players, engaging with all levels within the supplier's business to build long-term, embedded partnerships.
What we are looking for
  • Commercial Sharpness: You understand that buying is about more than just picking products; it’s about margin metrics, P&L management, and EBITDA contribution and being plugged into trends and opportunities.
  • The "Drinks" Network: Ideally, you have experience within the UK drinks industry (Retail or Wholesale) and a passion for spirits.
  • Persuasive Negotiator: You are comfortable approaching suppliers who haven’t heard from us in a while, building Commercial plans that excite both them and us, and answer the "Why MOM" value proposition.
  • Data-Led Decision Maker: You can look at a massive tail of data and prioritise your efforts where they will have the greatest Commercial impact.
  • Cultural Agility: You are proactive, open to feedback, and able to collaborate across a fast-paced Commercial team and wider business at all levels, including our inspirational founder Justin.
Why Join Us?
  • High Impact: This is a new role with a clear ROI and the autonomy to shape a massive part of our supplier base.
  • Career Trajectory: You will be working directly with senior leadership (Liam Belton) in a business that is at the forefront of the global spirits trade.
  • The Perks: Hybrid working, a vibrant culture in our Kent HQ, and the chance to work with the world’s most exciting industry.

At Atom, we back curious, ambitious people who want to win. You’ll have real autonomy to run your area, challenge ideas and make decisions that directly impact the growth of a fast-scaling brand. We move quickly, care deeply about results, and give high performers the trust and ownership to deliver. You’ll be accountable for outcomes, not activity. There’s no politics or red tape here. Just smart people, high standards and the expectation that you show up, think commercially and get things done. Alongside competitive pay and core benefits, you’ll get a generous staff discount on over 15,000 brand SKUs. We don’t sit still, and there’s a lot more to come... Apply now if you want to join us.

Buyer - Spirits employer: Master of Malt

At Master of Malt, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture in our Kent HQ. As a Spirits Buyer, you will enjoy the autonomy to shape supplier relationships and drive growth while working closely with senior leadership in a fast-paced environment. With competitive pay, generous staff discounts, and a commitment to employee development, we offer a unique opportunity for those passionate about the spirits industry to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Master of Malt

Contact Details:

Master of Malt Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Buyer - Spirits

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the spirits industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential suppliers or colleagues on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

Tip Number 2

Show off your negotiation skills! When you get the chance to chat with suppliers, come prepared with data and insights that highlight the benefits of partnering with Master of Malt. Make it clear why they should choose us over others – we want to be their first choice!

Tip Number 3

Be proactive in your approach. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; seek them out! Research under-engaged suppliers and reach out with tailored proposals that demonstrate how we can help them grow. Remember, we’re all about unlocking potential!

Tip Number 4

Keep an eye on trends! Stay updated on what’s hot in the spirits market and use that knowledge to inform your conversations with suppliers. This will not only impress them but also position us as a forward-thinking partner ready to innovate together.

We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Spirits

Supplier Partnership Growth
Commercial Negotiation
Range Architecture
End-to-End Accountability
Joint Business Planning (JBP)
Commercial Sharpness
Data-Led Decision Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Spirits:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the spirits industry shine through. We want to see that you’re not just applying for any job, but that you genuinely care about the craft and have a keen interest in the products we offer.

Highlight Your Negotiation Skills:Make sure to emphasise your experience in commercial negotiation. We’re looking for someone who can build relationships and drive better terms with suppliers, so share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated similar situations in the past.

Be Data-Driven:We love a candidate who can make decisions based on data! In your application, mention any experience you have with analysing data to inform your buying decisions. Show us how you’ve used insights to create impactful strategies.

Tailor Your Application:Don’t send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Buyer - Spirits role. We appreciate candidates who take the extra step to align their skills with what we’re looking for.

How to prepare for a job interview at Master of Malt

Know Your Spirits

Dive deep into the spirits category before your interview. Familiarise yourself with current trends, popular brands, and emerging craft distilleries. This knowledge will not only impress but also show your genuine passion for the industry.

Master the Art of Negotiation

Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies. Think of examples where you've successfully negotiated terms or built strong supplier relationships. Highlight how you can bring that expertise to Master of Malt and drive better deals.

Data is Your Best Friend

Brush up on your data analysis skills. Be ready to talk about how you've used data to make informed buying decisions in the past. Show them you can sift through numbers and identify opportunities that will have a significant commercial impact.

Show Your Collaborative Spirit

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Emphasise your cultural agility and openness to feedback, which are key to thriving in a fast-paced environment like theirs.