Co-op
Senior Buying Manager
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Senior Buying Manager
Senior Buying Manager
£60,000 to £75,000 plus company car and great benefits (Work Level 5) Manchester city centre | Hybrid role (2–3 office days/week) | 12-month fixed-term contract
About the Role
We’re seeking an experienced buying professional to join us as a Senior Buying Manager. In this strategic role, you’ll lead a key category, drive growth, build robust supplier partnerships, and deliver exceptional value for customers and members.
Why This Role Matters
As part of our commercial transformation, you’ll shape category strategy and drive future growth. We’re investing in modernising processes, fostering capability, and creating chances for experienced Buyers to make a meaningful impact.
Aligned with Co-op’s values, you’ll deliver commercial success in a fair, sustainable, and customer-focused way.
What You’ll Do
- Lead category growth by identifying emerging trends and curating ranges customers love
- Negotiate market-leading commercial terms while building supplier partnerships that foster innovation and long-term success
- Own all commercial aspects, including budgets, forecasts, performance metrics, and strategy execution
- Collaborate across supply chain, technical, quality, marketing, and merchandising teams to create a seamless end-to-end customer experience
- Prioritise work and develop your team to ensure strong performance and clear focus
- Represent Co-op to suppliers and industry stakeholders, championing high standards and commercial ambition
- Mentor and inspire junior analysts and assistants, grooming future buying talent
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What You’ll Bring
We aim to make roles as inclusive as possible, so we only specify minimum criteria:
- Significant experience in buying, procurement, category management, or senior/national account management
- Proven negotiation skills, a track record of value delivery, and the ability to build strategic, high-performing supplier relationships
- Experience managing multiple commercial models and complex supplier dynamics
- Confidence in owning direction, influencing stakeholders, and navigating fast-moving environments
- A commercially astute, analytical mindset—balancing customer needs, market insights, and commercial outcomes
- Strong leadership and team-development skills to drive against ambitious targets
Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. This means we prioritise you—because when you join, you’re not just taking a job; you’re contributing to a purpose-driven movement.
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Benefits Include:
- Annual bonus (based on individual and business performance)
- 28 days holiday (rising to 32 days with service) + bank holidays
- Pension with up to 10% employer contribution
- Private healthcare
- Subsidised on-site gym (Manchester HQ)
- 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands
- Stream – early access to pay-as-you-earn bonuses
- Virtual healthcare, including GP appointments, mental health support, and wellness advice
- 24/7 colleague support service
- Training and career development opportunities
- Cycle-to-work scheme
A Place You’ll Belong
We build diverse, inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.
- Proud Disability Confident employer—we offer interviews to disabled candidates meeting minimum criteria and provide necessary adjustments during recruitment.
- Visit jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process for details on our accessibility commitments and diversity policies.
Apply now and join a movement that puts people and purpose first.
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