Buyer - Free From

Salary:
Competitive Plus Benefits

Location:

London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA

Contract type:
Fixed-Term Assignment
Business area:
Sainsbury's Commercial & Sustainability

Requisition :

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 in Sainsbury’s Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for, all food, non- food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, online and on demand.

It’s an incredibly fast-paced environment. People here are in it together and aren’t afraid to take risks. 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 your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly.

Our Food Commercial team sits at the heart of delivering great quality products for our customers, at the right price. You'll be based from our London Support Centre (33 Charterhouse Street) with the flexibility to work remotely as part of our hybrid working approach, for this 12 month Fixed Term Contract. Working closely with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and Retail teams, you'll help shape category strategy and deliver strong commercial results.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, fast-paced environment where market insight, innovation and strong supplier partnerships are key to maintaining a competitive edge.

As a Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of the Free from ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen buying area worth £150m in annual sales, executing sourcing and selection strategies aligned to wider business objectives. You’ll lead the team on strategic planning and supplier negotiations to secure optimal cost prices, identify the most effective sourcing routes, and implement pricing, promotional, and ranging strategies that drive performance across sales, profit, and market share.

Day-to-day, you’ll collaborate with the Category Director, Head of Buying, Category Planning and your cross-functional team, to shape the product range, support new product development (NPD), and ensure a strong balance of quality and cost. You’ll also monitor supplier performance, benchmark against competitors, and identify future commercial opportunities to keep your category ahead in a dynamic retail market.

You bring a strong understanding of buying and category management within a retail environment, with the ability to analyse market trends and translate insights into action. You are confident negotiating with suppliers and can demonstrate accountability for delivering commercial outcomes across sales, profit, and cost optimisation.

You are a collaborative team player who builds effective relationships across functions, communicates clearly, and uses data to inform decisions. Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, you are proactive in identifying opportunities, driving improvements, and supporting innovation within your category.

• Proven experience of buying and managing a complex product range within a retail buying environment
• Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with both small own brand and large branded suppliers, flexing your style appropriately
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing an ambitious long-term category strategy
• Comfort in presenting to and communicating with senior leadership, given the high-profile nature of the category
• Keen interest in leading a team focused on delivering market-leading outcomes for customers with specific dietary needs
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally collaboratively, with Supply Chain, Technical, Own Brand and/ or Retail teams

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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…