At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Laundry & Dish categories, driving sourcing and selection strategies.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a dynamic retailer focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus up to 20%.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make an 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 40000 - 50000 £ 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. Based across Holborn and flexible home working, the team works closely with Supply Chain, Own Brand, and Retail colleagues to shape category strategy and drive commercial performance. 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 Laundry & Dish categories worth £400m in annual sales, executing sourcing and selection strategies aligned to wider business objectives. As the Senior Buyer within the Household department, you’ll lead the team on strategic planning, 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. You’ll also be one of two buyers across the total business to pilot key elements of Core Commercial Transformation (CCT) and involved in shaping the rollout of that across the business.
Day-to-day, you’ll collaborate with Category Directors, Head of Buying and Category Planning, and cross-functional teams 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 or commercial 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 managing product ranges or categories within a commercial or retail buying environment.
- Demonstrable experience negotiating with suppliers to achieve cost savings or improved commercial terms.
- Experience with large branded suppliers in particular.
- Experience delivering pricing, promotional, or ranging strategies that have impacted sales, profit, or market share.
- Demonstrable ability to analyse product, market, and financial data to inform commercial decisions.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with supply chain, product development, 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. Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 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. Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest‑free car loan of up to £10k, cycle‑to‑work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well as access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too. 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.
Buyer - Household employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
At Sainsbury's, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive development programmes and the opportunity to work on transformative projects within the Commercial team. With competitive benefits, including generous discounts, flexible working options, and a focus on wellbeing, Sainsbury's is dedicated to supporting our employees both personally and professionally in the heart of London.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Household
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand Sainsbury's values and how they align with your own. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Sainsbury's team and ready to dive into the fast-paced world of retail.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Household
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in buying and category management, and show how your skills align with what we’re looking for at Sainsbury's.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven sales, profit, or cost optimisation in previous roles. We want to see the impact you've made!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Laundry & Dish categories. Understand current trends, key products, and competitors. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to take ownership of these categories.
✨Prepare for Supplier Negotiation Scenarios
Think about past experiences where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to achieve cost savings or improved terms. This will showcase your confidence and ability to deliver commercial outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed market trends or financial data to drive performance. This will highlight your analytical mindset, which is crucial for a Senior Buyer.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since the role involves working cross-functionally, think of examples where you've built effective relationships with other teams. Highlight your communication skills and how they’ve helped you achieve common goals. This will show that you're a team player who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
