Senior Buyer - Prepared Produce

Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: Holborn Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1N 2HT
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Food Commercial
Closing date: 12 May 2025
Requisition ID: 302914

We'd all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That's waiting for you at Sainsbury's. Here, everything in our stores starts out in Food Commercial. Whether it's the product, proposition, packaging or price, or the fact that something tastes great, our team is responsible for all food items available in store, digitally and on demand. You'll discover it's incredibly fast-paced. People here are in it together and not afraid to take risks. They're enthusiastic too, and their amazing leadership team is right behind them. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves, anywhere else in the business. So, if you're passionate about food and just as hungry to learn, you'll fit in perfectly.

In a nutshell

To own, deliver and optimise the buying and selling strategy for the Produce category. Sustainably developing the product area following the strategic direction of Sainsbury's Win in Food strategy. To focus on sales, volume market share and cash profit whilst delivering a market-leading, best in class, competitive customer offer.

The buyer has full responsibility for the commercial performance of the range across supermarket, convenience and online channels. Critical to delivery will be working with cross-functional teams to review the product range, identifying opportunities for product quality improvement, value offer opportunities and market-leading customer offer. In addition, working with the supply base and the Category Planners to develop a compelling customer offer

What you need to do

• Know and understand the Produce retail market across the multiple grocers.
• Develop and execute a customer-focused category plan in line with the Sainsbury's corporate Win in Food strategy and the Produce category strategy.
• Meet Sales, Profit, Market Share targets.
• Work cross-functionally within a fast-paced, volatile category and make complex commercial decisions at speed and develop a 'Best in Class' customer offer.
• Develop an excellent trusting working relationship cross-functionally with your Technical, Supply Chain and NPD colleagues.
• Understand the current and historical category performance.
• Develop strong relationships with your supply base, growers and service providers.
• Influence key stakeholders to gain commitment to the plan.
• Lead relevant cross-functional projects through to delivery.
• Focus on 'Plan for Better' targets including removal of Plastics, reduction of Carbon Emissions, Water Surety and driving Healthy Volume sales.
• Be constantly looking to improve the Produce category plan.
• Implement pricing & promotional strategies in line with hierarchies and promotional offers.
• Negotiate optimum product cost through a thorough understanding of the end-to-end supply chain.
  
  

How I will succeed

• Deliver key KPI targets for market share growth, sales, profit and value index.
• Develop a 'Best in Class' customer offer on both Quality and Value for the Produce category.
• Understand the UK market both in Sainsbury's and all the major retail competitors.
• Support the delivery of shared targets across the wider team.
• Successfully manage relationships with suppliers, growers and service providers to deliver performance in line with objectives.
• Drive your personal development plan and profile within the wider team.

What I need to know

• Understanding of the Produce category - farming / agriculture.
• Strong commercial and trading experience including negotiation, supplier management and category planning.
• How to analyse financial, market and customer data to identify opportunities.
• How to create a cross-functional category plan.
• How to flex your style to inspire and engage team and senior stakeholders.
• How to spot issues and effectively plan to mitigate risk.
• Key drivers of product cost and how to manage them.
• Knowledge of buying systems and processes.
• How to effectively and efficiently prioritise workload.

What I need to show

• Accountability for results and ability to deliver.
• Negotiation knowledge & skills.
• Strong commercial background and understanding of finance.
• Evidence of excellent judgement and commercial skills.
• Information management& analytical thinking.
• Clear and effective communication.
• Strong team-work and effective networking.

What decisions I can make

• Buying strategy & execution (product listings & negotiated cost prices).
• Selling strategy & execution (price and promotional plans).

Resources available to me

• Cross-functional team support (Supply Chain Analyst, Product Technical Manager, Range Analyst, Category Planning support, Online and Convenience support).
• Company processes & resources, including marketing support & customer insights.
• Legal support.
• Industry-leading personal and professional development resources.

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you'll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there's always the chance to try something new - whether that's as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we'll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:

Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury's every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform.

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.

Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks' pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks' pay for paternity leave.

Please see for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).