Vacancy NameL2 Buyer - Party & Seasonal Vacancy NoVN1077 Job TypePermanent LocationHatfield Job Details
L2 Buyer - Party & Seasonal
Contract type:Permanent
Location:Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week:40 hours, Full Time
Level:L2
Application Closing Date:Wednesday 15th October
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket,. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, 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, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Buyer to manage our Party and Seasonal range, including key seasonal events like Easter and Christmas.
In this role, you will be responsible for buying cards, wrap, gifts, tableware and decorations for key events. You must ensure that the range launches on time with full availability and that your supply base and the product range is fully optimised. You will proactively use data and analysis to maximise performance and drive sales over the key trading period, whilst maximising profitability and share growth to support the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.
This role is at the forefront of delivering great value and quality on a key basket building and highly important seasonal category. The position is an ideal opportunity for a great buyer to develop their seasonal buying experience. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of suppliers across branded and Marks and Spencers ranges. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a true passion for the category, flair for product and trend, and balance that flair and passion with commercial acumen to deliver the best seasonal range for the Ocado customer.
What you’ll do
1. Manage the category P&L and deliver against KPIs
2. Complete category reviews to refine the range and align to the business and category strategy
3. Deliver an effective trade, promotions, and events plan
4. Identify opportunities to improve all-in margin and, with support, negotiate with suppliers to deliver savings
5. Negotiate with suppliers to agree and deliver market-leading plans aligned to the customer plan and category strategy
6. Analyse and assess performance issues and opportunities using data and reporting tools, and devise and implement solutions
7. Identify and analyse potential first-to-market / Ocado exclusive product innovation opportunities using customer, market, and supplier insights
8. Manage and review the performance of the supplier base across small or emerging categories through communicating and developing relationships with suppliers to drive engagement and performance
9. Work closely with Supply Chain and the supplier base to ensure best-in-class availability
10. With support, identify and create plans to mitigate potential issues/events that may impact the supply
11. Work closely with suppliers and the category quality team to ensure product quality remains high
12. Adhering to all Ocado policies, storage, and handover protocols, and successfully completing all of your training so that you have zero GSCOP breaches. Ensuring all agreements are recorded in writing, reporting GSCOP complaints to Legal within 48 hours of receipt
13. Following our Business Code of Conduct and always acting with integrity and due diligence
Who you are
14. Substantial experience in a buying role
15. Strong negotiation skills
16. Good commercial acumen
17. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
18. Strong planning and organisational skills
19. Communicate and influence a wide range of audiences
20. A great team player
21. Results orientated
22. Demonstrates Ocado Retail’s values
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.
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.
Our 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.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunity employer. That means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.