Ocado Retail
L2 Buyer - Party & Seasonal
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
L2 Buyer - Party & Seasonal
Contract Type: Permanent (length in months undefined) Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office) Working Hours: 40 hours per week Level: Buyer Closing Date: Wednesday 8th July
About Us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the Team and the Role
We're looking for an exceptional Buyer to manage our Party & Seasonal category.
In this role, you will be a core driver of commercial growth, responsible for optimising your supply base and product range. Your responsibilities include identifying and delivering value-added innovation, making strategic range decisions, and proactively responding to key consumer trends like health and sustainability. A critical part of the job involves managing complex supplier negotiations, playing a key role in delivering outstanding value and quality for customers.
You will leverage data and insights to maximise performance, driving sales, profitability, and share growth, directly supporting Ocado Retail’s strategy.
Based within the General Merchandise (GM) buying team, this role is at the forefront of delivering great value, quality, and innovation for Ocado customers. The L2 Buyer will expand the Party & Seasonal category through a mix of new challenger brands and big market-leading brands.
What You’ll Do
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Supplier Management & Strategy
- Build long-term, strategic supplier relationships, managing supplier performance and identifying potential new partners.
- Lead complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs) aligned with our customer plan and category strategy.
- Maximise commercial returns by leading negotiations on supplier-funded media and ensuring targets are consistently delivered.
Performance & Insight
- Make data-driven decisions using advanced insight tools to analyse and understand category performance issues and opportunities.
- Proactively drive data-led category growth and maximise overall commercial performance.
Range & Innovation
- Shape future product and range requirements through:
- Regular competitor website visits
- Customer insight reviews
- Food trend tracking
- Source and launch customer/market-insight-led ranges and product innovations, ensuring we deliver great value, quality, and a best-in-class proposition for customers.
Who You Are
We’re looking for a buyer who:
- Has experience in a buying role
- Demonstrates strong negotiation skills
- Possesses excellent commercial acumen
- Excels in analytical and problem-solving
- Displays strong planning and organisational abilities
- Has a proven ability to communicate and influence (with internal stakeholders and external suppliers)
- Is an ardent foodie
- (Preferred) Experience in GM (General Merchandise) categories
Training and Development
Joining our Buying team provides access to our Commercial Academy, a comprehensive development programme structured around three core pillars:
- Buyer Induction
- Specific Skills (Buying & Selling)
- General Skills
This programme includes:
- Negotiation training (external, advanced course)
- Understanding Suppliers
- Optimising Joint Business Plans (JBPs)
You’ll build a foundational and advanced skillset across essential commercial competencies.
What’s in It for You?
Career Growth and Work Life
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll:
- Experience life at the world’s largest online retailer
- Work with a talented team that challenges what’s possible
- Grow your skills and career in online retail
- Become part of our AI Academy—our dedicated learning journey to build smart technology skills for the future
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Key Benefits
Health & Wellbeing
- Private medical insurance (option to add family coverage)
- Digital GP appointments
- Market-leading family policies
- Mental health support
- Discounted gym memberships
- Dental insurance
Spend & Save
- Annual bonus scheme (personal and business objectives)
- Reward platform for recognition
- 7% matched pension contributions
- 15% Ocado discount
- 20% M&S discount
- Free breakfast every day in the office
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme
- Free shuttle bus from Hatfield station
Work-Life Balance
- Hybrid working model
- 26 days holiday + 8 flexible bank holidays
- Option to buy extra holiday
- 2 weeks remote working from anywhere
- Lifestyle break opportunities
Our Hiring Process
We receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate.
- Every application is reviewed by a member of our team.
- If your skills and experience align well with the role, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss next steps.
Your Application and AI
- We encourage using AI tools in your application (as we also use them at Ocado Retail).
- While leveraging AI, ensure your unique self, experiences, passions, and personality shine through—your application should authentically convey why you’re a great fit for us.
Everyone’s Welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, ensuring fair treatment for absolutely everyone.
- If you require this job description in a different format (e.g., larger print, alternative document type), please contact careers@ocadoretail.com
- Need reasonable adjustments during recruitment? Just let us know on your application.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills