At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the food category, sourcing unique products and driving commercial performance.
- Company: Innovative grocery startup redefining convenience for urban consumers.
- Benefits: Be part of a groundbreaking retail concept with major growth potential.
- Other info: Join a visionary team backed by top-tier investors and enjoy a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food retail and make a real impact from day one.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in a Buyer role, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About Us
We’re reimagining grocery for the modern urban consumer—building a premium, tech-enabled convenience store chain that blends hot food, curated grocery, and digital-first experiences. With bold ambitions, we’re gearing up to launch our first stores by the end of the year—and we need the right foundations to make it happen.
About the Role:
We’re on the hunt for a Buyer with an entrepreneurial mindset and a deep passion for food and drink. You’ll take full ownership of your category—developing a standout range that surprises, delights, and delivers on our commercial goals. This is a rare opportunity to shape the offer of a next-generation retail concept from the ground up. If you love building from scratch, spotting the next cult product, and driving real impact on the P&L, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and lead your food category, with full responsibility for selection, pricing, and performance
- Build a unique, best-in-class range that reinvents what convenience means to modern consumers
- Drive commercial performance—manage costs, margins, and supplier terms to deliver on P&L goals
- Source new and exciting products, from challenger brands to local producers and trendsetters
- Negotiate and manage supplier relationships, setting the tone for long-term partnerships
- Balance innovation with operational reality—factor in shelf life, packaging, logistics, and waste reduction
- Use data and market insights to inform decisions and identify new growth opportunities
- Collaborate cross-functionally with store ops, supply chain, and marketing to bring your category to life
- Help shape scalable systems and processes to support national rollout and long-term success
Ideal Candidate
- 5+ years’ experience in a Buyer role, ideally within food or grocery
- Background in Fresh Food is a strong plus, but not essential
- Strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of driving profitability
- Confident navigating shelf life, availability, and waste management in a fast-moving retail environment
- A natural product curator—obsessed with finding what’s next in food and drink
- Entrepreneurial and adaptable—ready to roll up your sleeves and make things happen
- Passionate about shaping a new kind of food retail experience from the ground up
Why Join Us
- Be part of a category-defining retail concept from day zero
- Help shape the offer and infrastructure behind a bold new retail concept with major national growth plans
- Work with a visionary, execution-driven founding team, backed by top-tier investors
- Influence the future of food retail and how grocery is experienced across the UK
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Retail
Industries: Retail
Buyer - Foods in London employer: Pioneers
Join a dynamic and innovative retail startup in the heart of Soho, London, where your expertise as an Operations Director will directly impact our growth and success. We offer a collaborative work culture that values creativity and initiative, alongside opportunities for professional development and career advancement. With a focus on employee well-being and a commitment to excellence, this is a place where you can thrive and make a meaningful difference in the retail landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Foods in London
✨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 Pioneers, 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 Pioneers!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Foods in London
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 Pioneers, 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 Pioneers 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 Pioneers that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pioneers
✨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!
