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- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive innovation in Chilled Prepared Foods.
- Company: Join Ocado Retail, the UK's largest online supermarket with a mission to deliver joy.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health perks, hybrid working, and a fantastic work culture.
- Other info: Access to extensive training and career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food innovation and make a real impact on customer choices.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Buyer
Application Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May
About Us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we’ve recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague. We’re Ocado Retail, a market‑leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com.
About The Team And The Role
We’re looking for an exceptional Buyer to manage part of our Chilled Prepared Foods category. This role is focused on our pasta, sauces & pies assortments. In this role, you will be a core driver of commercial growth, responsible for ensuring that your supply base and product range are optimised. You will also be responsible for identifying and delivering value‑added innovation, strategic range decisions, and proactively responding to key consumer trends like health and sustainability. A critical part of the job involves managing complex supplier negotiations and playing an important role in delivering great value and quality for the customer. You will proactively use data and insights to maximise performance, driving sales, profitability, and share growth, directly supporting the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.
What You’ll Do
- Supplier Management & Strategy: Build long‑term, strategic supplier relationships, managing supplier performance and identifying potential new partners. Lead complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market‑leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align with our customer plan and category strategy. Maximise commercial returns by leading negotiations on supplier‑funded media and ensuring targets are consistently delivered.
- Performance & Insight: Be a data‑driven decision‑maker, using advanced insight tools to analyse and understand category performance issues and opportunities. Proactively drive data‑led category growth and maximise overall commercial performance.
- Range & Innovation: Shape our future product and range requirements by conducting regular competitor website visits, reviewing customer insight, and tracking food trends. Source and launch customer/market insight‑led ranges and product innovation, ensuring we deliver great value, quality, and a best‑in‑class proposition for our customers.
Who You Are
- Experience in a buying role.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Excellent commercial acumen.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Proven ability to communicate and influence a wide range of audiences (internal stakeholders and external suppliers).
- A passionate foodie.
- Experience in Fresh categories is preferred.
Training and Development
Joining our Buying team provides access to our Commercial Academy, a comprehensive development program structured around three pillars: Buyer Induction, Specific Skills (Buying & Selling), and General Skills. You’ll gain access to external, advanced training such as Negotiation, as well as courses on Understanding Suppliers and Optimising JBPs. This whole program is designed to deliver a foundational and advanced skillset across essential commercial competencies.
What’s In It For You
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You’ll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market‑leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
- Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
- Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we’ll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
L2 Buyer – Chilled Prepared Foods in Hatfield employer: Ocado Retail
Contact Detail:
Ocado Retail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land L2 Buyer – Chilled Prepared Foods in Hatfield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Ocado Retail's values, mission, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to buying and negotiation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace L2 Buyer – Chilled Prepared Foods in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the L2 Buyer role. Highlight your experience in buying, especially in chilled prepared foods, and showcase your negotiation skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since this role is all about being data-driven, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with data analysis tools. We love seeing candidates who can use insights to drive performance, so let us know how you've done this in the past!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food and how your skills align with our mission at Ocado Retail. We want to feel your enthusiasm for the role and the company!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado Retail
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, dive deep into the Chilled Prepared Foods category, especially pasta, sauces, and pies. Familiarise yourself with current trends, popular brands, and any recent innovations in these areas. This will show your passion for the role and help you engage in meaningful discussions.
✨Master Negotiation Scenarios
Since strong negotiation skills are crucial for this position, prepare by practising common negotiation scenarios. Think about how you would approach supplier negotiations and what strategies you might use to achieve market-leading Joint Business Plans. Being ready with examples will impress your interviewers.
✨Data-Driven Mindset
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to drive performance in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've identified opportunities or solved problems using insights. This will demonstrate your ability to make informed decisions that align with Ocado's goals.
✨Show Your Passion for Food
As a passionate foodie, share your thoughts on food trends and innovations during the interview. Discuss your favourite products or brands and why they resonate with you. This personal touch can help you connect with the interviewers and show that you genuinely care about the category you'll be managing.