At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive the buying strategy for soft drinks and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to sustainability and innovation.
- 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 an impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills required.
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Sainsbury's Commercial & Sustainability
Closing date: 15 June 2026
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.
About the team
Our Food Commercial team plays a key role in shaping a competitive, customer-focused offer across supermarket, convenience and online channels. Working at the heart of the business, the team brings together commercial insight, supplier partnerships and customer understanding to deliver a distinctive range that supports our vision to help everyone eat better. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional partners including Supply Chain, Product Development, Technical and Range Analytics to drive performance and continuous improvement.
More about the role
As a Buyer, you will be accountable for developing and delivering the buying and selling strategy for your category. You will own the end-to-end commercial performance of your range, including pricing, promotions, product selection and supplier partnerships. Your focus will be on growing market share and cash profit while maintaining a value-competitive and customer-focused offer. Day to day, you will analyse market, customer and financial data to identify opportunities, lead cross-functional projects, and work closely with Range Analysts to shape a compelling product range. You will also negotiate product costs, influence stakeholders to align on category plans, and support the development of own brand products to strengthen the overall proposition.
More about you
You bring a commercial mindset with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable plans. You are comfortable managing multiple priorities and working collaboratively across teams to deliver results. You are able to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive performance aligned to business objectives. You demonstrate accountability for outcomes, can adapt your approach to different situations and communicate clearly to influence and engage others. You are focused on delivering measurable results, while contributing to a supportive and high-performing team environment.
- Proven experience developing and delivering category or buying plans that drive commercial performance
- Demonstrable ability to analyse financial, market and customer data to inform decision-making
- Experience negotiating with suppliers to achieve agreed cost and commercial outcomes
- Evidence of managing cross-functional projects through to delivery
- Experience implementing pricing and promotional strategies aligned to commercial objectives
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 for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Buyer - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
At Sainsbury's, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions collaboration and innovation. As a Buyer in our Commercial team, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, extensive benefits including generous discounts, flexible working options, and robust career development opportunities, all while contributing to our mission of helping everyone eat better. Join us in London, where your passion for products and commitment to sustainability will thrive in a supportive environment that celebrates your achievements.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London
✨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 - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London
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!
