Head of Food Buying (Maternity Cover) - Moreton-in-Marsh

We are looking for an engaging and passionate Head of Buying to join our team for a 12-month maternity cover contract. You will be responsible for leading the Daylesford food buying team in delivering a range that reflects food retail strategy and embraces quality, innovation, and seasonality; brought to life across relevant sales channels.
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the delivery of budgeted sales, waste and margin across all food retail departments.


• Negotiate and deliver margin improvements across the end-to-end operation without compromising brand standards.


• Initiate and lead category reviews to deliver continuous improvement in product range, sales, quality, and pricing.


• Ensure the buying team & supply base deliver exciting and commercial seasonal NPD and third-party ranges on time.


• To engage the team to proactively forage and stay abreast of market trends.


• To steer the direction and help deliver the 18-month NPD and seasonal innovation plan.


• Managing & drive product launch plans, including instore sales activation.


• Manage the sign off of forecasting across the full product portfolio, to maximise fulfilment and minimise product wastage.


• Ensure that Daylesford has robust contracts in place with suppliers, to manage accreditation quality, service and cost across major suppliers through a structured approach to supply relationship management with clear KPI's, terms of business and continuous review.


• Work with Technical to ensure we have a robust quality monitoring system in place.


• To ensure maintenance of site-specific merchandising and planograms for retail spaces.


• To develop and lead a happy, motivated, high performing team, providing leadership & coaching .
  
  Previous experience working in a Senior/Head of Buying role within the food industry and will have lots of experience with procurement strategy and supplier management.


• Highly motivated and organised with great attention to detail.


• A passion for food and commitment to working in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong written and verbal communicator, with the ability to liaise and engage with a range of stakeholders, approaching tasks with a logical and efficient attitude.
  
  Discounts: We offer a range of discounts on our products, treatments, and dining

experiences from day 1.

• Volunteering Days: Employees are offered one paid day per year to volunteer with acharity of their choice.


• Private Medical: We offer subsidised private medical insurance through Bupa.


• Pension Scheme: Pay up to 9% of your salary into your pension each month; we

contribute up to 4.5%.

• Life Assurance: We offer life assurance cover, equivalent of up to a year of your annual salary.


• Mental Health Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme provides 24-hour support, seven days a week.