Fresh Produce Buying Manager

Summary

£66,000 up to £77,000 per annum | 35 days’ holiday (pro rata) | 10% in-store discount | Pension scheme

Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table - but we also have a whole lot in common. We’re curious, collaborative, and ready to make a tangible impact on where we work.

Just like you.

Our Buyers play a major role in influencing every aspect of the range of goods that we offer to our customers: from which products we sell, to the way they look and taste, developing our supply base and continuing to drive our market-leading position. As a Fresh Produce Buying Manager you'll experience everything from working in our stores, to developing our range and negotiating contracts, all on an international scale. Our Buying Managers thrive in our fast moving, highly pressured environment where everyone has a voice, and we want to hear yours!  This role is about having a genuine passion for food retail, a ‘get things done’ attitude and the desire to become an expert in your field. We look for individuals who are self-motivated and intuitive with a desire. Our 960 + Stores depend on you when choosing the right products for our customers.

If you are someone who stands out from the crowd and who wants to make an impact come and join our buying department! We look forward to seeing your application.

In return, we’ll give you a competitive salary based on equal opportunity and pay structures, as well as a generous benefits package designed to support your well-being and life outside of Lidl.

We’re proud to be a diverse, secure and fast-growing business, so we’ll make sure you have access to the right training and real opportunities to build your career as well.

What you'll do

Be comfortable making multi-million-pound decisions and devising solutions to complex problems – you drive the decisions for your categories
Lead the Fresh Produce category and assume responsibility and accountability for everything from the tasting of samples to the sign off of packaging design – our success is down to you
Manage the critical path from product concept to launch into our depots and ensure the stock arrives on time
Entrepreneurial flair with a talent for negotiating and networking at the highest levels – you’ll be in daily discussions with not only Account Managers, but also Commercial and Managing Directors of some of the UK’s biggest suppliers
Be confident presenting to Buying Directors and Board Directors internally  
Use your sharp analytical skills along with the ability to identify trends, forecast sales and analyse data to support commercial decisions but don’t be afraid to go with your gut feeling
Negotiate the best possible commercial terms for the business with a drive for achieving outstanding results
Constantly striving to improve our customer offer.  Getting better never stops.
Collaborate with your fellow buyers and colleagues in other departments, but ultimately have the initiative to drive your own work independently
Spinning lots of plates at any one time – multi tasking must be your thing!

What you'll need

Passion about the food retail industry.
Comfortable with making multi-million-pound decisions and devising solutions to complex problems – you drive the decisions for your categories
Experience working in a Fresh Produce Buying team
Experience within food retail is desirable but not essential
Possession of a full UK driving licence
German language skills desirable but not essential
Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit
A positive mental attitude at all times even in stressful situations
Assertive and confident in your communication skills
Have presence, confidence and conviction in your ideas
Work well under pressure and to tight and often conflicting deadlines

What you'll receive

35 days holiday (pro rata)
10% in-store discount
Sabbatical
Enhanced family leave
Pension scheme
Plus, more of the perks you deserve

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

If you’re ready to get stuck in, want to get more out of your career and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.