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- Tasks: Lead a team of Category Managers in a fast-paced retail eCommerce environment.
- Company: Join a leading global platform specialising in consumer goods and food delivery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, and lucrative share options.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing business that values innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in Category/Buying with leadership experience in FMCG or eCommerce.
- Other info: Central London office; hybrid work expected 3-4 days a week.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 88000 £ per year.
Quest Search & Selection are currently looking for a Head of Buying, leading a team of Category Managers for this Food/FMCG retailer. The business is a leading retail eCommerce platform, specialised in consumer goods and food delivery, offering an extensive range of products including household essentials, medication, pet care, office supplies, beauty, groceries, and even fresh prepared food.
This global business is going through growth and is keen to look for an individual who has established leadership & category management experience with an analytical mindset they can deliver via their team in a hands-on, scale-up tech environment.
Key responsibilities of this Head of Buying - Food/FMCG:- Formulate, structure, implement process & lead a team for the ongoing strategy of the buying team.
- Lead projects regarding new transformation systems & automated processes to increase overall productivity.
- Monitor competitive price indices and implement pricing policies accordingly.
- Manage relationships with strategic key accounts, ensuring adherence to cost prices, promotional activities, and service standards.
- Negotiate deals when required, with key accounts and regional exclusives.
- Provide customer insights into algorithmic buying decisions and testing to optimise availability.
- Deal with internal stakeholders & SLT on in-app merchandising to consistently showcase the product range & alignment with the value proposition.
- Identify deviations from expectations and propose hypotheses for further validation.
- Ideally having 7+ years within a Category/Buying background.
- Background in Supermarkets, Convenience, FMCG, or eCommerce food.
- Experience in leading teams while being hands-on in driving strategy and involved in reactive and strategic decision making.
- Experience in leading transformation projects within a similar environment would be highly desirable.
- Open to those who have worked in an early-stage start-up/scale-up coupled with a blue-chip eCommerce or retail supermarket, household or FMCG background.
- Data-savvy, analytical individual that provides the foundations of decision making.
- Consider yourself a builder rather than just an executor.
- Managed P&L responsibility of £40–80 million turnover.
- High level Excel and Microsoft Office experience.
- Salary £85,000 - £110,000.
- Central London head office.
- Expected to be based in head office circa 3-4 days a week.
- 15% discretionary bonus.
- Lucrative share options.
- Part of a wide global business that is going from strength to strength.
This is a great opportunity if you have the right skill sets to lead an entrepreneurial team and business. If this role is of interest, please do apply with your CV today!
Head of Buying employer: Quest Search and Selection
Contact Detail:
Quest Search and Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG and eCommerce sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in buying and category management within the food and FMCG sectors. Being knowledgeable about current market dynamics will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of transformation projects you've managed and the impact they had on productivity.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's product range and value proposition. Understanding their offerings will allow you to align your experience with their needs and demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience and category management skills. Emphasise any relevant achievements in the FMCG or eCommerce sectors, particularly those that demonstrate your analytical mindset and ability to drive strategy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, especially your experience in leading teams and managing P&L responsibilities. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you led transformation projects or worked in fast-paced environments. Highlight your data-savvy approach and any experience with competitive pricing strategies or supplier negotiations.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your formatting is consistent. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Search and Selection
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Head of Buying, you'll be leading a team of Category Managers. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles, focusing on how you've successfully managed teams and driven strategy in a fast-paced environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
This role requires a data-savvy individual. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform buying decisions or optimise processes. Be ready to discuss specific tools or methodologies you’ve employed in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
High-level negotiations are part of the job. Think of past experiences where you've negotiated deals with suppliers or key accounts. Be ready to share your approach and any successful outcomes from those negotiations.
✨Understand the Company’s Value Proposition
Familiarise yourself with the company's product range and value proposition. During the interview, demonstrate how your vision aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to showcasing their products effectively.
