At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for Free From products, driving sales and innovation.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to sustainability and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus up to 20%.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail buying and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Here, everything in our stores starts in Sainsbury’s Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for all food, non-food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, online and on demand. It’s an incredibly fast-paced environment. People here are in it together and aren’t afraid to take risks. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. So, if you’re passionate about your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly.
Our Food Commercial team sits at the heart of delivering great quality products for our customers, at the right price. You'll be based from our London Support Centre (33 Charterhouse Street) with the flexibility to work remotely as part of our hybrid working approach, for this 12 month Fixed Term Contract. Working closely with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and Retail teams, you'll help shape category strategy and deliver strong commercial results. You’ll be part of a collaborative, fast-paced environment where market insight, innovation and strong supplier partnerships are key to maintaining a competitive edge.
As a Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of the Free from ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen buying area worth £150m in annual sales, executing sourcing and selection strategies aligned to wider business objectives. You’ll lead the team on strategic planning and supplier negotiations to secure optimal cost prices, identify the most effective sourcing routes, and implement pricing, promotional, and ranging strategies that drive performance across sales, profit, and market share. Day-to-day, you’ll collaborate with the Category Director, Head of Buying, Category Planning and your cross-functional team, to shape the product range, support new product development (NPD), and ensure a strong balance of quality and cost. You’ll also monitor supplier performance, benchmark against competitors, and identify future commercial opportunities to keep your category ahead in a dynamic retail market.
You bring a strong understanding of buying and category management within a retail environment, with the ability to analyse market trends and translate insights into action. You are confident negotiating with suppliers and can demonstrate accountability for delivering commercial outcomes across sales, profit, and cost optimisation. You are a collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across functions, communicates clearly, and uses data to inform decisions. Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, you are proactive in identifying opportunities, driving improvements, and supporting innovation within your category.
- Proven experience of buying and managing a complex product range within a retail buying environment
- Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with both small own brand and large branded suppliers, flexing your style appropriately
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing an ambitious long-term category strategy
- Comfort in presenting to and communicating with senior leadership, given the high-profile nature of the category
- Keen interest in leading a team focused on delivering market-leading outcomes for customers with specific dietary needs
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally collaboratively, with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and/or Retail teams
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits.
Here are some of them:
- 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks
- 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day
- We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
- You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform
- Annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday
- Season ticket loans
- Interest free car loan up to £10k
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health cash plans
- Pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day)
- Access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Private healthcare eligibility
- Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Buyer - Free From employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and customer service are at the forefront. Employees benefit from competitive pay, night shift premiums, and a range of perks including discounts and generous holiday entitlement, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Free From
✨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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Free From
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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨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!
