Senior Buying Manager – Fresh Meal Solutions & Frozen
Food Commercial Trading team
Maternity Cover

Based at Asda House in Leeds

As part of the Fresh Meal Solutions and Frozen Commercial trading team, you will be responsible for growing and developing the fastest growing Senior Buying Manager area in the business leading a team of passionate & committed buyers in a hugely competitive market. You’ll be negotiating and developing strong working relationships with a variety of suppliers with a relentless focus on the customer and managing the basics of price, availability and quality as well as growing our Own Label business and driving costs down.

The role covers a wide number of commodities (Red Meat, Fish, Poultry, Chips, Potatoes and Vegetables) where being the sharpest on price at the best quality is absolutely key. The individual in this role will need to be able to obtain a broad knowledge of the categories and build strong relationships with a vast supply base. They will also need to develop an in depth knowledge of the supply chain.

Whilst growing Own Label is our number 1 focus, a strong branded performance goes hand in hand and is a critical element of success. In this role you will lead the relationship with big brands such as Birdseye, McCain, Aunt Bessies, Bernard Matthews and work through finding the right balance between your own label and branded offer.

This role provides many opportunities to further develop both your technical and behavioural capabilities. You will need to foster a strong relationship with the Senior Buying Manager in Frozen Meal Sols & D&I in order to ensure the Frozen team are working to a collective vision for our customers.

The ins and outs:

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, and operating as part of the senior management team, you will lead a team of 5 colleagues, to deliver annual sales of over circa £500m p/a

You will -

Lead the team to deliver the category strategy, finance plan and P&L delivery. Direct accountability for product development, deployment, supplier strategy and promotional/ pricing strategy for your department.

Maximise the opportunities for ‘buying better’ and driving ‘Cost To Serve/Every Day Low Price’ (EDLP) improvements in a highly competitive arena – working with both branded and own label suppliers with an annual COGs challenge of circa £5m

Develop & Nurture strong relationships across the category.

Deliver and optimise the total Frozen Promotional Programme

Have a Customer & Commercial Mindset ensuring that we get the best product ranges & best prices for our Customers, so that they can Save Money, Live Better

Develop and nurture a broad team working within the POD structure

What you’ll need:

Demonstrate relevant retail buying experience as a Senior Buyer, Buying Manager, or Category Manager

A strong understanding of the market and customer focus

A passion for driving sales and outperforming profit targets, increasing market share

The ability to work & make decisions at pace, prioritise effectively and engage at all levels of the business and manufacturing/ farming community

Strong negotiation skills

Ability to build & nurture strong supplier relationships

Excellent leadership and communication skills

Ability to lead, develop & motivate others

Determination, tenacity and a cost-focused approach

Commercially astute - using data and Management Information to make informed decisions

Strong coaching and leadership skills