At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for Chilled Meals, driving sales and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Ocado Retail, the UK's largest online supermarket with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and discounts.
- Other info: Access to advanced training and career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-growing team and make a real impact in online retail.
- Qualifications: Proven retail buying experience and exceptional negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Senior Buyer
Reports to: Trading Manager
Application Closing Date: Friday 25th September
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. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
As a Senior Buyer, you will have accountability for a specified category within the Chilled Meals Solutions commercial buying team. You will be responsible for ensuring your supply base and product range are optimised, proactively using data and analysis to maximise performance and also drive sales, profitability and growth to support the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.
The Chilled Meal Solutions category is one of the fastest-growing departments within Ocado, and we’re looking for a Senior Buyer to raise the bar even further.
What you’ll do
- Commercial Accountability
- Be fully accountable for the category P&L and deliver against all KPIs.
- Proactively identify opportunities to drive customer penetration and significantly improve the all-in margin by negotiating with suppliers to deliver savings.
- Plan and execute the comprehensive trade, promotions, and events plan.
- Ensure zero GSCOP breaches, record all agreements in writing, and report GSCOP complaints to Legal within 48 hours of receipt. Always follow the Business Code of Conduct and act with integrity and due diligence.
- Strategy, Range & Innovation
- Develop the category strategy with support from the Trading Manager/Buying Director.
- Expertly execute category reviews to refine the range, ensuring all changes align with the business and category strategy.
- Identify, analyse, and source first-to-market / Ocado exclusive product innovation using deep customer, market, and supplier insights.
- Support 2 Buyers in delivering their own range and strategy reviews.
- Negotiation & Supplier Excellence
- Lead complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align with the customer plan and category strategy.
- Manage and review the performance of a complex supplier base, communicating and developing strong relationships to drive high engagement.
- Work closely with merchandise planning and the supplier base to ensure best-in-class availability.
- Identify and create plans to mitigate potential issues/events that may impact the supply, and ensure product quality meets all Ocado requirements.
- People Management & Performance
- Manage 1 Buyer and provide day-to-day coaching and feedback to Category Assistants.
- Be an expert in data, analysing and assessing performance issues and opportunities using reporting tools, and quickly devising and implementing effective solutions.
Who you are
- Significant retail buying experience with a demonstrated track record of delivering breakthrough commercial results.
- Exceptional negotiation expertise required for strategic, high-value, and business-critical supplier agreements.
- Proven leadership capability with experience in managing/mentoring.
- Exceptional influencing and executive stakeholder management skills, capable of shaping strategy at a senior, cross-functional, and leadership level.
- Expertise in complex data analysis; ability to synthesise diverse data sets to define the long-term category vision and strategy.
- Proven project management capability required to lead and deliver complex, long-term business-wide initiatives (e.g., major range resets).
- A passionate foodie!
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.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal.
- 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.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
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.
Senior Buyer – Chilled Meals Solutions in Hatfield employer: Ocado Retail
At Ocado Retail, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and employee development. Located in Hatfield, our hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life experience while you collaborate with a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional service and value. With access to our AI Academy and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous holiday allowances, we empower our colleagues to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer – Chilled Meals Solutions in Hatfield
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Ocado Retail, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Ocado Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer – Chilled Meals Solutions in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Ocado Retail, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Ocado Retail and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Ocado Retail that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado Retail
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
