Buying Manager Beer, Wine and Spirits

What you'll do

Summary


Competitive Salary based on experience | 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 a Beer, Wine & Spirits buyer to join the team. You’ll be the mastermind of our drinks aisle, ensuring every bottle—from a crisp, zesty Sauvignon Blanc to a bold, small-batch botanical gin—meets our uncompromising standards for quality and value. You’ll play a major role in shaping our BWS range—deciding which vintages, craft brews, and cocktails our customers toast to, whether it’s a quiet Tuesday night or a milestone celebration. 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 'innovation' isn't just a buzzword—it's a competitive edge. You have a true enthusiasm for drinks 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 BWS suppliers, 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 'precision of the pour”. You will identify emerging trends—from no and low alcohol alternatives to sustainable packaging alternatives—projecting high-volume sales and evaluating complex data sets to inform commercial decisions.

Continuously seek to enhance our customer offering, because at Lidl, the pursuit of improvement never sleeps. Whether it’s benchmarking our Champagne against the finest French labels or optimizing the pack size of our Spanish lager, you will constantly refine our range to ensure we remain a premier destination for Beer, Wine and Spirits in the UK.

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 in a fast paced role with a track record of delivering results is essential

Desire to want to be a buyer

Buying experience is a plus, though not a prerequisite

Experience in negotiating and have win win attitude

People describe you as pragmatic, logical, and incredibly quick-thinking. In the drinks world, where consumer trends 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

Sabbatical

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme

Plus, more of the perks you deserve

*Includes 10% non-contractual London Weighting Allowance

Note: This role requires providing 'Out of Hours Support' on a scheduled rotation and may require travel and overnight stays.

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.