Buying Manager – Produce & Horticulture Full Time NEW

You thought Fresh Produce was just “boring old veg”? Think again! From juicy strawberries and crisp salads to hearty potatoes and vibrant herbs, the UK turns up for flavour, season after season.

At Aldi, we’re proud to offer a fantastic range of fresh produce, bringing reliable quality and great value to customers every day (and yes, helping them find that perfect ingredient for their next meal).

Our vacancy in the Fresh Produce team means working closely with your team and supply base to help deliver the best range and quality for our customers, from peak-season fruit to British veg.

If you’re passionate about produce, thrive on fast-moving decisions, and enjoy turning plans into results, join us to help get the freshest picks from our suppliers to our shelves!

If you’re always striving to improve and want to join a really important part of the business, apply to join #TeamAldi today!

Your New Role

• Manage and foster the development of Buying Assistants
• Meeting, managing, assessing, engaging, and motivating suppliers
• Have a detailed and comprehensive understanding of product range internally and externally
• Produce timely and accurate business forecasts, including financial forecasts to enable targets to be met
• Produce timely and accurate business forecasts, plans and recommendations to enable targets to be met, and to Identify, assess, and monitor additional information/data which could be used in decision making
• Plan, prepare and carry out negotiations to secure exciting products at the best price
• Aid the Buying Director on existing and future ranges through utilizing several data sources

About You

• Experience of working in highly commercial environment (e.g. Retail, FMCG)
• Previous Buying experience
• Previous management and leadership experience
• Demonstrated aptitude, motivation, and performance in previous roles
• Exceptional levels of organisation and deadline adherence
• Ability to manage a variety of suppliers with differing routes to market
• A good sense of urgency and adaptability under pressure
• Fully responsible for managing suppliers on every operational aspect
• Displays ownership for current category/area of responsibility, namely; availability, supplier management, new product launch deadlines, innovation, idea generation, administrative deadlines
• Contributes positively and constructively to current team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good ability to build & maintain relationships
• Ability to work in a fast paced and cross functional environment
• Excellent attention to detail and strong focus on accuracy
• Ability to plan ahead, prioritise duties, and meet deadlines with a high level of personal organisation
• A good sense of urgency and adaptability under pressure
• A self-starter with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Intellectually curious and takes the initiative
• Excellent visual design sense regarding clear and accurate presentation of data
• Microsoft skills required (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

What You’ll get in Return

• Salary up to £98,050 per year
• Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, with the opportunity of 2 days remote working
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• In office flexi-time
• Full training provided
• Pension scheme
• Private employee medical insurance after 6 months
• Company sick pay scheme
• Company maternity and adoption leave from commencement and paternity leave pay after 1 year
• Long service rewards
• Access to MyBenefits, where you can find a wide range of benefits, including our bike to work scheme, shopping and cinema discounts, health cash plan, a FREE will, travel and discounted gym memberships, as well as a host of benefits to support your financial and wellbeing needs.
• Access to a free,24/7, confidential virtual GP service for all Aldi Colleagues and their children (under the age of 16)

*You’ll need to live within 90 minutes of your main working location

**Please be aware that this role does not fulfil the requirements for visa sponsorship.

Aldi is an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and are dedicated to promoting a culture of inclusion, providing an environment in which collaboration, respect and fairness are essential. We value diversity and are dedicated to treating all of our colleagues and prospective colleagues fairly and with respect.

If you’re ready to join an award-winning business that celebrates everyone’s achievements, offers competitive pay and creates great working environments, apply today!