At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive performance in the Food & Drink category through strategic planning and supplier negotiations.
- Company: Join a dynamic retail team at our Customer Support Centre in Walsall.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a fast-paced environment with exciting career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product availability that customers love.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail buying and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Buyer who has managed a Food & Drink retail category to join our commercial team. Based at our Customer Support Centre in Walsall, the role will work on a hybrid basis. As a Buyer, you’ll support our Senior Buyer to drive performance across your Food & Drink based category - ensuring the right products land in store at the right time and the right price. You’ll manage everything from building category strategies, supplier negotiations and management, sales analysis, range planning to managing critical path. You'll take the lead on your assigned category, ensuring its success through effective planning, budgeting and negotiating. Taking an essential role in our key product journey, without you, our customers wouldn't be able to shop the ranges they love.
Your Impact & Responsibilities
- You’ll be accountable for maximising the success of your Food & Drink category performance, along with the Senior Buyer.
- Seeking out opportunities or threats, resolving issues and making recommendations for action by working closely with the broader category team.
- Identifying, creating, and developing new range opportunities, taking the lead on constructing a robust and successful plan.
- Understanding and interpreting key customer insights and data to identify and react to market trends and shopping habits.
- Meeting suppliers and attending trade fairs to build relationships, negotiate the cost of goods, and explore new opportunities.
- Be accountable for the development of category strategies, including research and analysis (spend analysis, cost benchmarking, etc).
Skills and Knowledge Required
- For this role we need someone who is an experienced Buyer from a Retail background, is an expert negotiator, builds great working relationships and knows their way around a spreadsheet.
- Previous experience of leading a Food & Drink based category is preferred but not essential.
- Keeps one step ahead of the market, through calculated risks.
- Experience of delivering strategies and plans with associated targets, KPIs and performance monitoring, along with reporting, budgeting and forecasting.
- Comfortable with being agile to changing priorities.
- Strong understanding of the sector and competitor.
- Thorough understanding of the Supply Chain Process.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Buyer - FMCG - Impulse (Food & Drink) in Walsall employer: Poundland & Dealz
Contact Detail:
Poundland & Dealz Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - FMCG - Impulse (Food & Drink) in Walsall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the Food & Drink sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Buyer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your research game on! Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the Food & Drink market. This will not only help you in interviews but also show potential employers that you're genuinely passionate about the category.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you'll need to be a master negotiator. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence and refine your approach before those crucial supplier meetings.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to connect with you right away. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - FMCG - Impulse (Food & Drink) in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Buyer role in Food & Drink. Highlight your experience with category management, supplier negotiations, and any relevant achievements that show you can drive performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Food & Drink sector and how your skills align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of market trends and customer insights.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: As a Buyer, negotiation is key! In your application, provide examples of successful negotiations you've led, especially in the Food & Drink category. This will help us see your expertise in action.
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so don’t wait around! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to ensure you’re in the running for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Poundland & Dealz
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Food & Drink category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, popular products, and key competitors. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you built relationships with suppliers and achieved cost savings or improved terms. This will show that you have the expertise to manage supplier negotiations effectively.
✨Be Data-Driven
Brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions. Whether it's sales analysis or market trends, being able to interpret data will showcase your ability to drive category performance.
✨Demonstrate Agility and Adaptability
In the fast-paced world of FMCG, things can change quickly. Prepare to discuss times when you've had to adapt your strategies or plans due to changing priorities. This will highlight your flexibility and readiness to tackle challenges head-on.