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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for our unique pantry products and drive supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join London’s top Artisan Bakery, known for quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy fresh bread daily, generous discounts, 25 days holiday, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to change the food system through ethical sourcing and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying management, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for quality food.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to innovate and collaborate across teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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 in London employer: The Bread Factory
Contact Detail:
The Bread Factory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land GAIL\'s Buying Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the brand! When you get an interview, make sure to express your love for GAIL’s and The Bread Factory. Talk about their values and how they resonate with you. This will show that you’re not just looking for any job, but you genuinely want to be part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for buying managers and practice your answers. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Being well-prepared will help you feel more confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the position!
We think you need these skills to ace GAIL\'s Buying Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Baking: When writing your application, let your love for baking shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your passion for quality ingredients and traditional techniques. We want to see how you connect with our mission at The Bread Factory.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the GAIL's Buying Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement and supplier management, and don’t forget to mention any innovative ideas you have for ‘The Pantry’!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our community at The Bread Factory!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bread Factory
✨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 qualities will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully achieved results. Use the GAP approach to structure your responses, highlighting how you identified goals, assessed alternatives, and made proposals that benefited all parties involved.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
Since The Bread Factory values sustainability, be ready to discuss your views on ethical sourcing and reducing waste. Share any relevant experiences or ideas you have that align with their mission to change the food system.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to collaborate with various teams, such as Creative Studio and Operations. Prepare to share examples of how you've worked effectively with others to achieve common goals, showcasing your communication skills and team-oriented mindset.
