Buying Manager – Soft Drinks

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well known retailer who have grown rapidly over recent years and are now looking to expand their head office buying team. 

Ideally you will have previous Soft Drinks buying experience however candidates with a strong buying background in other ambient / grocery areas will also be considered e.g. Impulse, Crisps and Snacks, Confectionery, Core Grocery etc

Key areas of the role will include:

• Setting the commercial strategy for the soft drinks area
• Management and development of a Team of Buyers and Assistant Buyers
• Negotiation of supplier trading terms to meet financial targets
• Identifying new product development opportunities
• Competitor Analysis
• Continually sourcing new suppliers
• Range management and category planning
• Category marketing / promotional planning
• Working cross functionally with other key business areas e.g. supply chain and technical

Applicants should have the following skills and attributes:

• Highly developed negotiation skills
• Experience in Buying or a buying team, ideally gained for a top 20 retailer
• Excellent supplier management skills
• Experience of category management practice
• Excellent relationship building skills
• Effective coaching and man-management
• Strong commercial acumen – accountability for achieving and excelling company targets
• A highly self-motivated individual

This position offers excellent career long term career progression and training.