At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive procurement and supplier partnerships for GAIL's Pantry products.
- Company: Join London’s leading Artisan Bakery, The Bread Factory.
- Benefits: Enjoy fresh bread daily, generous discounts, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to innovate and grow.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming the food system sustainably.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying management and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Bread Factory is London’s leading Artisan Bakery, known for award-winning breads, pastries, and cakes, supplying top-quality products across e-commerce, grocery, food services, and retailers such as our GAIL’s Bakeries nationwide. As our teams grow, we seek our next GAIL’s Buying Manager to join our team.
As the GAIL’s Buying Manager, you will be responsible for the category we call ‘The Pantry’. This is a collection of branded and un-branded third‑party produced products, including our jams (from Tea Together), butter (from Quicke’s), honey (from Oxfordshire Honey), and drinks such as Momo Kombucha and Rapscallion. Every day is different at The Bread Factory, but here are some of the things you will be doing:
- Drive initiatives to outperform vs budget and remove cost where it doesn’t add value.
- Own the use of merchandising space and work in partnership with Operations & Creative Studio to drive more relevance to customers and stronger commercial performance.
- Own the GAIL’s Craft Community and the supplier partnership strategy.
- Be the face of GAIL’s to many of our most special relationships.
- Manage the full procurement process including market research, competitive pricing, supplier selection and negotiation, contract implementation and supplier performance review.
- Actively maintain live knowledge of supply markets and develop/implement buying strategy.
- Pro‑actively find interesting new partners based on the creative vision for The Pantry.
- Collaborating with the Creative Studio, NPD and Technical teams you’ll be driving the delivery of new ranges into GAIL’s.
- Understand and participate in the Innovation Stage Gate process, to ensure the on‑time delivery of new launches within the seasonal plan.
- At all times you will have a close eye on the competitor and industry landscape.
- Be a true partner to the Creative Studio and Operations teams, so you can deliver the vision in a way which is sympathetic to the realities of operating our bakeries.
- Protect the integrity of our GAIL’s Craft Community whilst driving the commercial performance of the ranges.
- Engage with Finance and Data & Insight to provide fact‑based insights on what can change and why.
Our team tells us you will be a great addition if you have:
- Experience ideally at Buying Manager level or equivalent, with a record of delivering strong results.
- Knowledge of negotiating skills such as GAP approach.
- Experience in creating and delivering strategic plans and budget forecasts.
- Experience nurturing small supplier and partner relationships.
- Confident communicator who can engage effectively at all levels.
- Able to live the values each day and is passionate about our mission to change the food system through sustainability, ethical sourcing and making things better each day.
- Someone who can make things happen, is highly organised and can support our ambition to be one of the best bakeries in the world.
What’s in it for you:
- Fresh bread daily to take home to enjoy with family and friends.
- 50% discount at GAIL’s and 40% off at The Bread Factory & The Flour Station Markets.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
- Discounts and savings from high‑street retailers and restaurants.
- 24‑hour GP service.
- Cycle to work scheme.
GAIL's Buying Manager NEW London Competitive employer: The Bread Factory Limited
The Bread Factory is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As the GAIL's Buying Manager in London, you will enjoy a range of benefits including generous discounts, 25 days of holiday, and opportunities for professional growth within a company dedicated to sustainability and ethical sourcing. Join us to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also supports your ambition to make a meaningful impact in the food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GAIL's Buying Manager NEW London Competitive
✨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 Bread Factory and GAIL’s. Understand their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the Buying Manager role involves supplier negotiations, brush up on techniques like the GAP approach. Role-play with a friend to build 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 GAIL’s family and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace GAIL's Buying Manager NEW London Competitive
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how passionate you are about the food industry and our mission at GAIL’s. Share why you’re excited about the opportunity to be part of our team.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buying Manager role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in procurement and supplier relationships. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back!
Be Specific:In your cover letter, be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. Use examples that demonstrate your negotiating skills and strategic planning experience. We appreciate clarity and detail!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our GAIL’s family!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bread Factory Limited
✨Know Your Pantry Products
Familiarise yourself with the products in 'The Pantry' category, especially the brands and suppliers mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss these products and their unique selling points will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully achieved favourable outcomes. Use the GAP approach to structure your responses, highlighting how you identified goals, assessed alternatives, and proposed solutions that benefited all parties involved.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you've created and delivered strategic plans in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your strategic insights led to improved performance or cost savings, and be prepared to share these stories during the interview.
✨Engage with the Creative Vision
Understand the importance of collaboration with the Creative Studio and Operations teams. Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to the innovation process and ensure that new product launches align with GAIL's vision while being operationally feasible.
