L2 Buyer – Beer and Cider

Join to apply for the L2 Buyer – Beer and Cider role at Ocado Retail

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:
Monday 5th 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 our Beer and Cider category. In this role, you will be a core driver of commercial growth, responsible for ensuring that your supply base and product range are optimised. You will also be responsible for identifying and delivering value‑added innovation, strategic range decisions, and proactively responding to key consumer trends like health and sustainability.

A critical part of the job involves managing complex supplier negotiations and playing an important role in delivering great value and quality for the customer.

You will proactively use data and insights to maximise performance, driving sales, profitability, and share growth, directly supporting the overall Ocado Retail strategy and goals.

Based within the BWS buying team, this role is at the forefront of delivering great value, quality, and innovation for the Ocado customers. The role is an ideal opportunity for a great buyer to expand the category through a mix of new challenger brands and big market‑leading brands.

• Build long‑term, strategic supplier relationships, managing supplier performance and identifying potential new partners.
• Lead complex negotiations to agree upon and deliver market‑leading Joint Business Plans (JBPs) that align with our customer plan and category strategy.
• Maximise commercial returns by leading negotiations on supplier‑funded media and ensuring targets are consistently delivered.

• Be a data‑driven decision‑maker, using advanced insight tools to analyse and understand category performance issues and opportunities.
• Proactively drive data‑led category growth and maximise overall commercial performance.

• Shape our future product and range requirements by conducting regular competitor website visits, reviewing customer insight, and tracking trends.
• Source and launch customer/market insight‑led ranges and product innovation, ensuring we deliver great value, quality, and a best‑in‑class proposition for our customers.

• 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 FMCG or Alcohol categories is preferred

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.

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