Senior Buying Manager, Co-operative Group

Senior Buying Manager - Drive Commercial Excellence at Co-op

Are you a seasoned buying professional with a passion for delivering exceptional value to customers and a commitment to ethical business practices? The Co-op is seeking experienced Senior Buying Managers to join their dynamic Commercial team in Manchester City Centre. This is a pivotal role offering the opportunity to shape the future of a leading retail business and contribute to ambitious growth strategies.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Impact: Play a leading role in developing and executing a market-leading, omnichannel range strategy. You'll have the autonomy to create an exciting and relevant product mix, balancing private label innovation with top-name brands, ensuring the Co-op stays ahead of customer demand.
• Competitive Remuneration and Benefits: This role offers a highly competitive salary of up to £80,000, complemented by an excellent benefits package. This includes a car, an annual bonus based on performance, generous holiday entitlement that increases with service, a strong pension scheme with significant employer contributions, and private healthcare.
• Purpose-Driven Organisation: As a member-owned organisation, the Co-op is powered by purpose. You'll be joining a movement that prioritises people and communities, working in an environment where ethical considerations are paramount. This means driving cost efficiencies and negotiating favourable terms with suppliers, but always with fairness and co-operation at the forefront.
• Flexible and Balanced Working: The Co-op embraces a hybrid working model, allowing you to split your time between home, supplier visits, and the Manchester City Centre office (requiring attendance at least two to three times a week). This offers valuable flexibility to manage your workload and personal life effectively.
• Career Development and Growth: The Co-op is invested in your professional journey, offering coaching and training to support your career development. You'll have the opportunity to lead and inspire a team of commercial analysts and assistants, fostering category growth and driving overall performance.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Core Responsibilities: The Senior Buying Manager role is shaped to focus on two critical areas: negotiation and buying. You will be responsible for sourcing and purchasing products, negotiating commercial terms, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the strategic delivery of commercial budgets and performance metrics.
• Ethical Sourcing and Negotiation: A core element of this role is upholding the Co-op's values. Candidates must be adept at negotiating commercial terms while ensuring fair and co-operative dealings with suppliers. A strong understanding of legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements, including GSCOP, is essential.
• Team Leadership and Collaboration: You will be expected to inspire and lead a team, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring clarity of workflow and deliverables across various internal teams. Strong relationship-building skills are crucial for success, both internally and with external partners.
• Industry Insight and Commercial Acumen: A deep understanding of the food retail sector and a robust analytical and strategic mindset are key. You'll need to demonstrate commercial insight, stay ahead of market trends, and represent the Co-op effectively within the industry.
• Hybrid Working Dynamics: While offering flexibility, the hybrid model requires strong self-management and the ability to effectively collaborate and maintain strong working relationships across different work settings.

This Senior Buying Manager position represents an exceptional opportunity for experienced professionals to make a significant contribution to a respected and purpose-led organisation. If you possess the required skills and are looking for a role that combines strategic impact with a commitment to ethical business, this could be the perfect next step in your career.