At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Dairy category, driving sales and innovation through strategic buying.
- Company: Join Ocado Retail, the UK's largest online supermarket with a mission to deliver joy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous discounts.
- Other info: Access to comprehensive training and career growth opportunities in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while developing your skills in a tech-driven environment.
- 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: Head of Category
Application Closing Date: Friday 28th August
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 Fresh 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 Dairy category is a heavily branded space with plenty of room to innovate, and we’re looking for a Senior Buyer to continue raising the bar.
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, recording all agreements in writing, and reporting 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 a 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 passion for the Fresh/Dairy categories and the drive to deliver a best-in-class customer proposition.
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 – Dairy in Hatfield employer: Ocado Retail
At Ocado Retail, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and employee development. With our hybrid working model in Hatfield, you’ll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises health and wellbeing, alongside access to our AI Academy for continuous learning. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions directly impact the success of the world's largest online supermarket, all while enjoying a range of fantastic benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer – Dairy in Hatfield
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Ocado Retail.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer – Dairy in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Ocado Retail:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Ocado Retail. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Ocado Retail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado Retail
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Ocado Retail!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Ocado Retail. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Ocado Retail's culture.
