Overview
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Buyer
Application Closing Date: Friday 1st May
About Us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we’ve recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
The Team and the Role
We’re looking for an exceptional Buyer to manage part of the Fresh Produce category. In this role, you will hold commercial accountability for your categories, managing a complex global supply chain to deliver a market-leading range. You will help drive our sourcing strategy, cultivating resilient supplier relationships and utilising data to make fast, agile trading decisions that keep Ocado at the forefront of the market.
What You’ll Do
Commercial Accountability
* Be fully accountable for category P&L and deliver against all KPIs
* Negotiate and execute complex, high-value Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with growers and importers that drive mutual growth and innovation
* Utilise live data to make fast, commercially sound trading decisions, reacting quickly to market dynamics, weather events, and availability challenges
* Partner closely with the M&S sourcing team to drive joint initiatives
* Ensure zero GSCOP breaches. Always follow the Business Code of Conduct and act with integrity and due diligence
Strategy, Range & Innovation
* Expertly execute category reviews to refine the range, ensuring we are first-to-market with seasonal highlights and Ocado exclusives
* Work closely with the Category Trade Planner to ensure best-in-class execution across all channels
* Collaborate closely with Supply Chain and Technical teams to mitigate risks, ensuring best-in-class availability and product quality that meets Ocado’s standards
Negotiation & Supplier Excellence
* Have complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market-leading Joint Business Plans that align with the customer plan and category strategy
* Manage and review the performance of a complex supplier base, communicating and developing strong relationships to drive high engagement
* Identify and create plans to mitigate potential issues/events that may impact the supply, and ensure product quality meets all Ocado requirements
Who You Are
* Substantial experience in a buying role
* Strong negotiation skills
* Excellent commercial acumen
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
* Strong planning and organisational skills
* Proven ability to communicate and influence a wide range of audiences (internal stakeholders and external suppliers)
* A passionate foodie
* Experience in fruit or fresh produce categories is preferred
Training and Development
Joining our Buying team provides access to our Commercial Academy, a comprehensive development program structured around three pillars: Buyer Induction, Specific Skills (Buying & Selling), and General Skills. You’ll gain access to external, advanced training such as Negotiation, as well as courses on Understanding Suppliers and Optimising JBPs. This whole program is designed to deliver a foundational and advanced skillset across essential commercial competencies.
What’s In It For You
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You’ll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don’t lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you’re a great fit for us.
Equality and Accessibility
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. If you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we’ll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
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