At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for Free From products, driving sales and innovation.
- Company: Join Sainsbury’s, a dynamic retailer committed to inclusivity and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus up to 20%.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- 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 are essential.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
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.
Essential criteria
- 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.
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.
Buyer - Free From in London employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is an excellent employer for those passionate about fashion and design, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With opportunities for professional growth and mentorship within a dynamic team, employees can thrive while contributing to innovative womenswear collections that resonate with customers. Located in a supportive environment, Sainsbury's prioritises employee well-being and development, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Free From in London
✨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 - Free From 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 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:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Sainsbury's! 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
✨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 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 and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
