At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product strategy and optimise buying for salads, sushi, and snacking categories.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to sustainability and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus up to 20%.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food choices while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier negotiation and strong analytical 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.
Joining Sainsbury's Buying Teams means being part of a dedicated and friendly group working towards a mission that truly matters: Helping Everyone Eat Better. As a Buyer, you will have the opportunity to own, deliver, and optimise the buying and selling strategy within a specific category, contributing to the sustainable growth of market share and cash profit. Collaborating across functions, you will leverage your commercial acumen and analytical skills to drive product improvement, develop new offerings, and identify cost savings. With a focus on customer-centricity, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the product range, influencing stakeholders, and making key decisions to enhance our customers' experience.
What you'll do:
- As a Buyer in our Sainsbury's Buying Teams, you will play a vital role in ensuring that we get the best products at the best prices to deliver quality and value to our customers.
- You will own, deliver, and optimise the buying and selling strategy for a specific buying area within the Food for Later category, with the responsibility of driving sustainable market share growth and cash profit through a competitive and distinctive customer offer.
- In this role, you will work cross-functionally to review product ranges, identifying opportunities for product improvement, new product development, and cost savings.
- You will make key decisions in both the Buying Strategy and Selling Strategy, influencing stakeholders and using financial, market, and customer data to drive a market-leading product range.
- Additionally, you will optimise the supply base, manage supplier relationships, and lead cross-functional projects to deliver successful outcomes.
Who you are:
- You are a highly experienced professional with a proven track record in negotiating with suppliers and optimising product ranges to deliver quality and value to customers.
- With your strong commercial acumen, you develop and execute customer-focused category plans aligned with the company's strategy, aiming to sustainably grow market share and cash profit.
- Your ability to analyse financial, market, and customer data allows you to identify opportunities for product improvement, new product development, and cost savings.
- Collaborating cross-functionally, you review product ranges, make key decisions in buying and selling strategies, and effectively manage supplier relationships to achieve performance objectives.
- With excellent communication skills, adaptability, and resilience, you navigate complex information, influence stakeholders, and lead relevant projects to successful delivery.
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:
- 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 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.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Buyer - Salads, Sushi & Snacking (8m FTC) employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Sainsbury's is an exceptional employer that prioritises work-life balance and fosters a collaborative, inclusive culture. As a Buyer in our dynamic Buying Teams, you'll enjoy opportunities for professional growth while contributing to our mission of Helping Everyone Eat Better. With competitive benefits, including generous discounts, performance-related bonuses, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Sainsbury's offers a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a difference in the food industry.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Salads, Sushi & Snacking (8m FTC)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Salads, Sushi & Snacking (8m FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
