Brakes are currently recruiting for a Grocery Buyer to join the Grocery buying team - branded and own brand, on a full-time, permanent basis, reporting to the Head of Buying. Our role is offering hybrid working, with 2 days on site in the Ashford, Kent office per week, so you must be within a commutable distance.
The Grocery Buyer’s role is integral to delivering a customer focussed range. The individual is responsible for ensuring we source products effectively, drive profitability and manage suppliers and partner relations within the merchandising function.
We are looking for someone who excels in delivering cost saving strategies through driving change and proactively looking to find solutions. This includes negotiating the lowest cost price for product vs. market, sourcing relevant products from the most appropriate suppliers, developing supplier partnerships, improving availability, contingency planning where relevant and helping to drive overall sales, profitability, and efficiencies. You will work at both a local country level, but also as part of the wider European Constellation buying alliance.
Key Responsibilities
- To help create, lead, and deliver on the category strategy for the team, including any specific projects supporting Sysco growth strategy.
- Accountability for developing supplier partnerships, selecting an appropriate supplier base, supported by merchandising, technical and supply chain colleagues.
- To agree cost prices for all products, with annual terms agreed on time showing year on year improvement.
- To monitor supplier performance in terms of overall gross margin, competitiveness, and availability. Agree corrective action where necessary.
- To agree joint business plans with key suppliers, including investment plans to activate digital and marketing product opportunities.
- To maintain accurate cost files, and savings pipelines & trackers.
- To support category management in range decisions (including brand tiering and the role of the Sysco brand) to drive sales.
- Work with the product development team to innovate and create value throughout the end-to-end supply chain, meeting Sysco sustainability strategy.
- To support sales team in tenders and with specific customer pitches.
- To give the business market insight to support pricing decisions and ensure benchmarking across the market to remain competitive.
- Work across Sysco GB Group & the Constellation procurement alliance.
About you:
The successful candidate must have previous experience in a similar Grocery Buyer/Procurement Manager role with experience in Own Brand/ Branded products covering a range of categories such as Impulse, Produce, or Grocery and looking to join a global organisation for the next step in their career. We are looking for an experienced buyer who is comfortable working cross-functionally in a team and enjoys building relationships internally and with external suppliers to maximize performance. A confident and organised Buyer who has the demonstrated experience of supplier/contract negotiation and delivery of significant cost savings combined with commercial problem-solving abilities is crucial to this role. You will be someone who has strong planning and prioritisation skills whilst demonstrating your resilience under pressure and can manage conflicting priorities using your excellent time management skills.
What you’ll receive:
- A competitive salary
- Company car allowance of £5,500
- Pension scheme
- Single private medical healthcare cover
- Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, with option to purchase additional holidays + bank holidays
- Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop
- Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sodexo.
- Recognition awards and Incentives
- Real career opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility
At Brakes everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Brakes and we recognise that Brakes can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.
