At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive buying strategies for soft drinks, analysing data and negotiating with suppliers.
- Company: Join Sainsbury’s, a leading retailer focused on customer satisfaction and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, health plans, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying plans and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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.
Essential criteria
- 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
Responsibilities
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.
Qualifications
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 - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package including discounts, performance bonuses, and health support, Sainsbury's empowers its employees to excel in their roles while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Join us in our mission to help everyone eat better and enjoy a fulfilling career in the heart of the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London
✨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 their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them grow their range. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their business.
✨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 confidence and refine your approach 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 genuinely interested in being part of our team at Sainsbury’s.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Soft Drinks (Fruit Carbs, Sports & Energy) in London
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 developing category plans and negotiating with suppliers, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since analysing market and financial data is crucial, include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in your previous roles. We want to see your commercial mindset in action!
Highlight Collaboration Experience:This role involves working closely with various teams, so share instances where you've successfully managed cross-functional projects. It’ll show us you can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and shows you’re serious about joining our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse financial, market, and customer data. Brush up on key metrics related to soft drinks, such as market share and pricing strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive commercial performance.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiating with suppliers is a big part of the role. Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you achieved cost savings or improved terms, and be ready to discuss your approach to building strong supplier relationships.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role requires working closely with cross-functional teams. Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with others, whether in product development or marketing. Be prepared to explain how you navigate different perspectives to achieve common goals.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare for questions like how you'd handle a sudden price increase from a supplier or how you'd respond to a dip in sales for a particular product. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
