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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying of drinks and manage supplier relationships for WHSmith.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a globally recognised brand with a rich history.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving sustainability and innovation in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement, strong communication, and analytical skills.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant London office with a collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work.
What you will be doing
Drinks Buying:
- Leading the buying of foodservice drinks including hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), drinks ingredients (syrups, milk etc) and managing relationships with relevant drinks suppliers.
- Collaborating with wider food service team, operations, health & safety, and group procurement teams to ensure products align with operational needs, food safety standards, and brand guidelines.
- Identifying and delivering cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or sustainability targets.
- Building strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers and negotiating favourable commercial terms.
- Conducting regular supplier performance reviews and monitor KPIs (cost, delivery, service quality).
Sustainability & Compliance:
- Ensuring all consumables comply with food safety, hygiene regulations, and environmental policies.
- Driving commercial decisions that support waste reduction and sustainable sourcing (e.g., compostable packaging, low-energy vending units).
Budgeting & Reporting:
- Monitoring spend against category budgets, analyse variances, and recommend corrective actions.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
- Liaising with operations, food safety, maintenance and merchandising to ensure product and equipment is available, compliant, and fit for purpose.
- Supporting store openings, refurbishments, and new concept rollouts with consumables and vending provisioning.
What we are looking for
- Previous buying/procurement/commercial experience within the food industry – preferred
- Computer literate – experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint essential)
- Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
- Strong commercial acumen
- Negotiation knowledge and skills
- Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills
- Proactive and resourceful
- Great team player
About us
Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.
At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
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Buyer - Coffee and Drinks employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Coffee and Drinks
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at WHSmith or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching WHSmith’s values and recent initiatives. Show us how your skills align with their mission, especially around sustainability and collaboration. We love candidates who are passionate about our goals!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the Buyer role involves supplier management, being able to demonstrate your negotiation prowess in real-life scenarios can really impress us during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at WHSmith.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Coffee and Drinks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coffee and Drinks: When writing your application, let your love for coffee and drinks shine through! Share any relevant experiences or insights that demonstrate your enthusiasm for the industry and how it aligns with our mission at WHSmith.
Highlight Your Buying Experience: Make sure to emphasise your previous buying or procurement experience in the food industry. We want to see how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated terms that benefited your past employers.
Be Data-Savvy: Since strong numeracy skills are key for this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to analyse data. Mention any tools or methods you’ve used to monitor budgets and track KPIs in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application specifically for us at WHSmith. Use our job description as a guide to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of drinks WHSmith offers, especially in the foodservice sector. Research current trends in coffee and drinks, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their buying strategy.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled. Highlight how you achieved favourable terms while maintaining quality and sustainability. This will demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and ability to build relationships with suppliers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
WHSmith values teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with different teams in previous roles. Share specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since the role involves monitoring budgets and analysing data, brush up on your Excel skills. Be prepared to talk about how you’ve used data to inform decisions or solve problems in your previous buying or procurement roles.
