Buying Manager (Bakery)

What you'll do

Summary


Competitive Salary | 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 award-winning Buying Department is looking for an experienced Bakery Buying Manager to join the team. You won't just be filling shelves; you’ll be the architect of our iconic In-Store Bakery, influencing everything from the perfect 'bloom' on our sourdough to the buttery flake of our croissants.

You’ll play a major role in shaping our bakery range—deciding which loaves, rolls, and pastries our customers wake up to. From product development and sensory tasting to global contract negotiations, you will drive our market-leading position in one of the most high-profile categories in retail.

You’ll excel in a dynamic, high-pressure environment where 'freshness' isn't just a buzzword—it's a deadline. You have a true enthusiasm for food retail and a palate for quality. You are self-driven, commercially perceptive, and possess the grit to negotiate the best deals for our customers.

Our network of over 1,000+ stores relies on your expertise to ensure that when our doors open at 8:00 AM, the best products in the business are ready and waiting. If you have a proactive mindset and a desire to succeed in a fast-moving, award-winning retailer, we want to hear from you.

At Lidl, we offer a hybrid working model to give you the best of both worlds. Spend three days or more in our state-of-the-art office, where you can enjoy an on-site gym, restaurant, and more of the perks you deserve. And with up to two days at home, you’ll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.

What you'll do


Armed with a sharp entrepreneurial spirit, you will navigate high-stakes negotiations and build a world-class supplier network. You won’t just be talking to Account Managers; you’ll be sitting across from Commercial and Managing Directors of the UK’s largest industrial bakeries and global flour mills, leveraging Lidl’s scale to secure market-leading quality at the best possible price
Demonstrating confidence when presenting to Buying Directors and Board Directors
Utilise your keen analytical abilities to master the 'science of the bake.' You will identify emerging artisan and health trends—from ancient grains to vegan pastries—projecting high-volume sales and evaluating complex data sets to inform commercial decisions. In a category where freshness is measured in hours, your ability to balance availability with wastage is the key to our profitability
Continuously seek to enhance our customer offering, because at Lidl, the pursuit of improvement never sleeps. Whether it’s benchmarking our croissants against the finest French boulangeries or optimizing the 'thaw-to-bake' instructions for our store teams, you will constantly refine our range to ensure we remain the UK’s first choice for fresh bakery
Collaborate with your fellow buyers and colleagues in other departments, but ultimately have the initiative to drive your own work independently
Reports into one of the Heads of Buying as part of a team of buyers

What you'll need


Experience working as a Bakery Buyer in the food retail sector is essential

A track record of navigating complex cost model negotiations with large scale manufacturers and understand the impact of commodity price fluctuations (Wheat, butter, energy)
Understand the technicalities of bakery production—from fermentation times to crumb structure—and how they translate to customer satisfaction.
People describe you as pragmatic, logical, and incredibly quick-thinking. In the bakery world, where 'freshness' waits for no one, your common sense is your greatest asset

Exude presence, demonstrate confidence, and hold firm belief in your ideas
Possession of a full UK driving licence
Already live - or happy to relocate - within a one-hour commute of Lidl GB Head Office, Tolworth, Surrey
German language skills desirable but not essential

What you'll receive


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

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment

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.

*includes 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance