Senior Buyer - GM

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Buyer (known internally as a Buyer) to own, deliver and optimise the buying and selling strategy for Sainsbury’s GM. Sustainably growing market share and cash profit through a value competitive and distinctive customer offer, aligned to our category plan and corporate strategy. 

You will have 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 improvement, new product development and cost savings through consolidation, tenders, and efficiencies. 

What I am accountable for 

• Contribute to the reset and transformation of the GM Category for our Sainsbury’s channels, including rationalising the offer fit for the future whilst delivering a strong customer led selling strategy that delivers our internal financial metrics.

• Know and understand the market and the category performance through supplier insight, internal data and commercial analysis tools. 

• Develop and execute a customer-focused category plan in line with the Sainsbury’s corporate strategy.

• Responsible for full finance management.

• Meet Sales, Profit and Market Share targets.

• Influence key stakeholders to gain commitment to the plan adapting style where appropriate. 

• Ability to present & tailor data/information/initiatives to wider and more senior stakeholders in a succinct & concise way. 

• Lead relevant cross-functional projects through to delivery. 

• Work with the range analyst to build an appropriate product range that delivers a market-leading commercial advantage. 

• Implement pricing & promotional strategies in line with product hierarchy guidelines to drive performance. 

• Utilise negotiation skills & techniques to manage complex multifaceted negotiations & supplier relationships. 

• Negotiate optimum product cost through a thorough understanding of the end-to-end supply chain. 

• Develop an excellent working relationship cross-functionally with your Technical, Supply Chain and NPD colleagues. 

• Support the Own Brand team to drive commercially favourable NPD development. 

• Develop strong relationships with your supply base and service providers. 

• Continuous focus on ‘Plan for Better’ targets.

• Be constantly looking to evolve & improve the overall category plan and contribute to the strategy. 

• Responsible for a broader product area which will require strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. 

• The position involves contributing to the leadership of the team, supporting the Head of Buying and Category Director including coaching and mentoring junior members of the team & taking on projects outside of usual BAU activities. 

What I need to know 

• Independent thinking and problem-solving skills are essential.

• Understanding of the category.

• Strong commercial and trading experience including negotiation, supplier management and category planning.

• How to analyse financial, market and customer data to identify opportunities. 

• Signfnicant understanding of finance management and tools.

• Understand how to build a strategy / 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. Experience with differing cost models.

• Good understanding of buying systems and processes.

• How to effectively and efficiently prioritise workload & balance multiple sometimes conflicting priorities. 

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 www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).