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- Tasks: Lead the Chilled & Fresh Produce category, driving growth and supplier relationships.
- Company: Wellocks is a top UK food distributor, serving over 1,200 restaurant kitchens since 1961.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, a Cycle to Work Scheme, volunteering days, and free meals from our chefs.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team culture focused on personal development and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management in food service is essential; strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract covering maternity leave.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Category Buying Manager – Nelson, Lancashire – 12 Month FTC (Maternity Cover)
About the role
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Buying Manager to oversee a specific category (Chilled & Fresh Produce) within our food service operations.
You will be pivotal in driving growth within your assigned category by establishing strong supplier relationships, negotiating competitive prices, and optimising product range.
This role will be a 12-month Fixed Term Contract
What you will do:
- Take full ownership of a specific product category, with responsibility for its development, performance and growth.
- Analyse market trends, customer needs and competitor activity to identify opportunities for category expansion and NPD.
- Ownership for the P&L in your categories including sales and profit margin.
- Establish and nurture strong, long-term relationships with suppliers.
- Act as the key point of contact between the company and suppliers to resolve issues and improve performance.
- Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, favourable terms, and ensure the best possible value for the company.
- Manage and support a Buyer and Supply Planner, providing guidance, mentorship and development opportunities.
- Ensure your team is aligned with category goals and has the resources needed to succeed in their roles.
- Work closely with Supply Planner to ensure effective inventory management, forecasting and demand planning.
- Track and report on the performance of the category, including sales, margins, stock turnover and supplier performance.
What you will need:
- Proven experience as a Buying Manager or Category Manager in the food service industry, with a strong understanding of supply chain, procurement and stock management.
- Experience with category-specific systems and tools i.e. inventory management software, ERP systems, etc.
- Strong negotiation skills, with a track record of securing competitive pricing and favourable terms.
- Experience in managing and leading a team, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop talent.
- Excellent supplier relationship management skills and the ability to build long-term partnerships.
- A solid understanding of the food service industry trends, customer needs, and market dynamics.
- Highly analytical and proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office with strong Excel skills
Let us tell you some more benefits you would receive:
- Fancy volunteering? We will give you one day off a year to take part in volunteering.
- Generous discounts on our products
- Cycle to Work Scheme that offers discounted bikes and cycling equipment.
- Donate through your pay to a charity of your choice. The money is simply deducted through your pay before tax, so for every pound you donate, the 20p that usually goes to tax will go to the charity instead!
- We also have a range of employee assistance services which can be tailored to give you support on various matters such as financial, health and wellbeing advice.
- We treat our teams to a free meal every few months, from our visiting fish & chip van, to freshly made bacon baps from our in-house chefs
About us
Wellocks, is one of the leading UK food distributors in the hospitality industry. We provide fruit, vegetables, dairy, eggs, poultry, meat, store cupboard essentials and everything else chefs will need in their restaurant kitchen. Thanks to our highly skilled team, we also offer pre-prepared veg and freshly-made pasta which is a key part of our service.
From our humble beginnings in 1961 supplying potatoes to local pubs and restaurants, 60 years later we now supply over 1,200 restaurant kitchens across the country with amazing ingredients.
We’re proud to be part of the William Jackson Food Group, a dedicated family-owned food business which started in 1851. Our sister businesses are Abel & Cole, Jacksons Bakery and Belazu. Family values and the commitment which comes with such a long-standing business are rooted in our culture here at Wellocks.
Thanks for reading our job advert. We do our very best to bring to life what it\’s like working as part of our team. Diverse teams really are the best teams. We want everyone to feel they can be themselves at work and develop their talents to the full. All colleagues are expected to take personal responsibility for keeping our workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying – a place where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully. We also know that sometimes some candidates may be put off applying for a job unless they think they can tick every box. If you are really excited about working with us and think you can do much of what we are looking for but aren\’t sure if you are 100% there yet… go on… why not give it a whirl? Good luck!
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Temporary
Job function
-
Job function
Purchasing and Supply Chain
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Industries
Food and Beverage Services and Hospitality
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Category Buying Manager (FTC) employer: Wellocks
Contact Detail:
Wellocks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buying Manager (FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the food service industry, especially regarding chilled and fresh produce. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food service sector, particularly those involved in procurement and supply chain management. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in securing competitive pricing. Having specific examples ready will showcase your skills and experience effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Wellocks and their supplier relationships. Understanding their business model and values will allow you to align your answers with their goals, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buying Manager (FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management, particularly within the food service industry. Emphasise your skills in supplier relationship management and negotiation, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the food service industry and your understanding of market trends. Mention specific achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your ability to drive growth and manage product categories effectively.
Highlight Analytical Skills: Since the role requires strong analytical skills, include examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in past positions. Discuss any experience with inventory management software or ERP systems to show your technical proficiency.
Showcase Leadership Experience: If you have experience managing teams, be sure to highlight this in your application. Provide examples of how you've motivated and developed team members, as this is an important aspect of the Buying Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wellocks
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly research the Chilled & Fresh Produce category. Understand current market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to take ownership of the category.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you've secured competitive pricing or favourable terms. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will highlight your strong negotiation skills, which are crucial for the Buying Manager role.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Experience
Since this role involves managing a Buyer and Supply Planner, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share specific instances where you've motivated and developed team members, as well as how you align your team with category goals.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Proficiency
Given the importance of tracking performance metrics like sales and margins, be ready to discuss your analytical skills. Mention any experience with inventory management software or ERP systems, and how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.