Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support category management in grocery, gifting, and seasonal retail strategies.
- Company: Quest Search & Selection, a dynamic player in the retail sector.
- Benefits: Life assurance, 20% discount for friends and family, hybrid work, and learning support.
- Other info: Flexible travel required; excellent opportunity for career development.
- Why this job: Join a team that drives retail growth and makes impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category roles, with strong analytical and supplier management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Quest Search & Selection are currently supporting the category management team in delivering retail strategy for grocery, gifting & seasonal. In this role you will be involved in range planning, planograms, promotions, pricing and stock forecasting. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure stock availability, using data analysis to inform category decisions, tenders, and trading terms.
Key Responsibilities
- Supports retail growth strategy, partnering with Finance teams to manage sales, margin, and KPI delivery.
- Analyses data and market trends to inform category direction, range selection, and stock forecasting.
- Maintains product data, costs files, and implements planograms across categories.
- Leads end-to-end development of bespoke products, ensuring quality, margin, and timely delivery.
- Develops and executes promotional and seasonal strategies, including POS and digital activity.
- Drives commercial performance through trading analysis, forecasting, and stock optimisation.
- Supports store layout, space planning, and effective communication of range and promotions.
- Manages supplier relationships, tenders, and day-to-day coordination on range, delivery, and merchandising.
- Gathers customer insights to inform category improvements.
Key Requirements
- Working as a Buyer, Senior Assistant or Junior level at a Buying, Category or NPD role.
- Ideally worked in different categories within non-food or grocery.
- Experience in new product development, concept creation, and design.
- Skilled in range architecture, planogram development, and space planning/analysis would be ideal.
- Proven supplier management and buying experience.
- Good commercial awareness, including understanding of P&L, sales, and margin drivers.
- Flexible to travel to different sites 1-2 times a month (car & driving license is highly desirable).
- Able to balance customer, operational, and commercial priorities when developing strategies.
Benefits
- Life assurance.
- 20% friends and family discount.
- Hybrid (50% on average office based).
- Free parking.
- Learning and development support.
Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal) employer: Quest Search and Selection Ltd
Contact Detail:
Quest Search and Selection Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with range planning, stock forecasting, and supplier management. Let them see how you can add value to their team.
✨Research the Company
Before any interview, do your homework! Understand their retail strategy, recent promotions, and market trends. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in range planning, stock forecasting, and supplier management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data analysis is key for this role, include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in previous positions. We love seeing numbers that back up your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about grocery, gifting, and seasonal buying. Let us know how you can contribute to our retail strategy.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Search and Selection Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of sales, margin, and KPI delivery. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis in past roles to inform category decisions.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Highlight any experiences where you negotiated terms or coordinated deliveries, as this will show your ability to maintain strong partnerships.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Trends
Stay updated on current market trends in grocery, gifting, and seasonal products. Be prepared to share insights on how these trends could influence range planning and stock forecasting in the role you're applying for.
✨Demonstrate Your Creative Side
Since the role involves new product development and concept creation, think of innovative ideas you've implemented before. Bring along examples of successful promotional strategies or bespoke products you've developed to showcase your creativity.