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- Tasks: Lead trading and purchasing for 11 retail stores, sourcing quality products and building supplier relationships.
- Company: Join a top food retailer in Northern Ireland known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy in your role, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the commercial strategy while working in a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or trading within foodservice or FMCG sectors; strong negotiation and analytical skills required.
- Other info: MCS Group offers a supportive environment with a 4.9-star Google rating for exceptional service.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
MCS Group is delighted to partner with a leading Food retailer in Northern Ireland, to recruit a Senior Trader/Buyer to join their Commercial team. Want a role with autonomy to run trading and purchasing across 11 different retail stores across the country? Have an entrepreneurial mindset? As a Trader/Buyer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial buying strategy. You will be responsible for sourcing high-quality products at competitive prices, building supplier relationships, and optimising stock levels to ensure availability, profitability, and alignment with customer demand.
You will work closely with our procurement, sales, category, and supply chain teams to analyse market trends, negotiate supplier terms, and deliver value across the business. You will be involved in:
- Identifying new products and supplier opportunities across foodservice categories (e.g. chilled, ambient, frozen, fresh produce, disposables).
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to secure best pricing, terms, and product quality.
- Negotiating buying terms, rebates, and cost prices in line with margin expectations and company strategy.
- Monitoring market trends, seasonal changes, competitor activity, and customer demand to inform buying decisions.
- Supporting the development and execution of category plans, including new product development.
Criteria:
- Proven experience in a Buyer, Trader, or Commercial role within the foodservice, FMCG, or wholesale sector.
- Strong commercial acumen with negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
- A deep understanding of supply chain, procurement practices, and category management.
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal and influencing abilities.
- Analytical mindset with strong Excel and reporting skills.
Full details upon application. To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up to date CV via the link provided or contact Alan Montgomery, Specialist Consultant at MCS Group 02896935492.
Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs www.mcsgroup.jobs.
Not all agencies are the same… MCS Group are passionate about providing a first-class service to all our customers and have an independent review rating of 4.9 stars on Google.
Trader/Senior Buyer (Food Service) employer: MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy
Contact Detail:
MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trader/Senior Buyer (Food Service)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the foodservice industry. Understanding current market dynamics and consumer preferences will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food retail sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in supplier relationship management. Be ready to provide specific examples that showcase your commercial acumen and ability to drive value.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s existing product lines and their competitors. This knowledge will allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their buying strategy and improve their market position.
We think you need these skills to ace Trader/Senior Buyer (Food Service)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying, trading, or commercial roles within the foodservice or FMCG sectors. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your entrepreneurial mindset and how you can contribute to the company's commercial buying strategy. Mention your understanding of market trends and your analytical skills.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong commercial acumen, communication abilities, and proficiency in Excel. These skills are crucial for the role and should be clearly outlined in both your CV and cover letter.
Showcase Your Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as successful negotiations that led to cost savings or improved supplier relationships. This will help demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at MCS Group | Your Specialist Recruitment Consultancy
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in trading or buying roles. Highlight specific examples where you successfully negotiated supplier terms or sourced high-quality products at competitive prices.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires an analytical mindset, come equipped with insights from market trends you've monitored. Use data to back up your decisions and show how you've used Excel or reporting tools to inform your buying strategies.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Strong interpersonal skills are key for this position. Practice active listening and engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their current supplier relationships and category management strategies.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare scenarios where you had to adapt to changing market conditions or customer demands, and explain how you approached these challenges effectively.
