L2 Buyer – Fresh Produce

Overview

Contract type:
Permanent

Location:

Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)

Working hours per week: 40 hours (Full-time)

Level: Buyer

Final date to receive applications:
Friday 30th January

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  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 Zoom by Ocado
, our same-day grocery delivery service.

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 category, 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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
• Include any line management responsibility

• 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 fresh produce categories is preferred

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.

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…