Sainsbury's
Buyer - Free From
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Our Food Commercial team sits at the heart of delivering great quality products
for our customers, at the right price. You'll be based from our London Support Centre (33 Charterhouse Street) with the flexibility to work remotely as part of our hybrid working approach, for this 12 month Fixed Term Contract. Working closely with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and Retail teams, you'll help shape category strategy and deliver strong commercial results. You’ll be part of a collaborative, fast-paced environment where market insight, innovation and strong supplier partnerships are key to maintaining a competitive edge.
More about the role
As a Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of the Free from ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen buying area worth £150m in annual sales, executing sourcing and selection strategies aligned to wider business objectives. You’ll lead the team on strategic planning and supplier negotiations to secure optimal cost prices, identify the most effective sourcing routes, and implement pricing, promotional, and ranging strategies that drive performance across sales, profit, and market share.
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Day-to-day, you’ll collaborate with the Category Director, Head of Buying, Category Planning and your cross-functional team, to shape the product range, support new product development (NPD), and ensure a strong balance of quality and cost. You’ll also monitor supplier performance, benchmark against competitors, and identify future commercial opportunities to keep your category ahead in a dynamic retail market.
More about you
You bring a strong understanding of buying and category management within a retail environment, with the ability to analyse market trends and translate insights into action. You are confident negotiating with suppliers and can demonstrate accountability for delivering commercial outcomes across sales, profit, and cost optimisation.
You are a collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across functions, communicates clearly, and uses data to inform decisions. Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, you are proactive in identifying opportunities, driving improvements, and supporting innovation within your category.
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Essential criteria
- Proven experience of buying and managing a complex product range within a retail buying environment
- Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with both small own brand and large branded suppliers, flexing your style appropriately
- Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing an ambitious long-term category strategy
- Comfort in presenting to and communicating with senior leadership, given the high-profile nature of the category
- Keen interest in leading a team focused on delivering market-leading outcomes for customers with specific dietary needs
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally collaboratively, with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and/ or Retail teams
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