Buying Manager Fresh Produce
Summary
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£77,000 \- £88,000 \| 35 days’ holiday (pro rata) \| 10% in\-store discount \| Pension scheme
Everyone who works at Lidl brings something unique to the table \- but we also have a whole lot in common. We’re curious, collaborative, and ready to make a tangible impact on where we work
Just like you.
Our award\-winning Buying Department is looking for an experienced Fresh Produce Buying Manager to join the team. You’ll be the architect of our market\-leading Fresh Produce section, influencing everything from the vibrant color of our tomatoes to the crispness of our seasonal greens.
You’ll play a major role in shaping our fresh produce range—deciding which seasonal fruits and vegetables are in our stores. From field\-to\-fork supply chain management and quality control to global contract negotiations, you will drive our market\-leading position in one of the most high\-profile categories in retail.
You’ll excel in a dynamic, high\-pressure environment where 'freshness' isn't just a buzzword—it's a deadline. You have a true enthusiasm for food retail and a keen eye for quality. You are self\-driven, commercially perceptive, and possess the drive to negotiate the best deals for our customers.
Our network of over 1,000\+ stores relies on your expertise as a Fresh Produce Buying Manager to ensure that when our doors open at 8:00 AM, the best products in the business are ready and waiting, making our customers fans and demonstrating that we are more to value. If you have a proactive mindset and a desire to succeed in a fast\-moving, award\-winning retailer, we want to hear from you.
At Lidl, we offer a hybrid working model to give you the best of both worlds. Spend three days or more in our state\-of\-the\-art office, where you can enjoy an on\-site gym, restaurant, and more of the perks you deserve. And with up to two days at home, you’ll find the work/life balance you need to thrive.
What you'll do
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- Demonstrate the confidence to manage multi\-million pound investments across global commodity and fresh produce markets
- Develop strategic solutions for complex supply chain hurdles, managing everything from harvest fluctuations to logistics, while taking full ownership as the lead decision\-maker for your categories
- Take total accountability for the journey of every item of fruit and vegetable, spanning from the farm gate to the shelf edge
- You’ll lead rigorous quality inspections and sensory assessments to perfect the 'appearance and texture'
- Negotiate with global growers and suppliers, and give the final seal of approval on packaging and presentation
- Oversee the critical path from initial product concept—whether it’s a new seasonal variety or a sustainably grown option—to its arrival in our depots
- Ensure that every batch meets our strict quality benchmarks and lands in our Regional Distribution Centres exactly when needed to stock our 1,000\+ stores
- Navigate complex negotiations and build a world\-class supplier network
- Demonstrate confidence when presenting to Buying Directors and Board Directors
- Have an analytical eye to master the 'science of fresh produce
- Collaborate with your fellow buyers and colleagues in other departments, but have the initiative to drive your own work independently
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- A background as a Fresh Produce Buyer or a similar commercial role within food retail will be highly advantageous
- Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations with major suppliers, alongside a strong grasp of how yield and pricing are affected by seasonality, weather, and shifting commodity costs
- Understand the technicalities of fresh produce production—from varietal differences and growing conditions to post\-harvest handling and shelf life—and how they translate to customer satisfaction.
- Known for being pragmatic, logical, and exceptionally quick\-thinking
- You exude presence, demonstrate confidence, and stand firmly behind your ideas
- Possession of a full UK driving licence
- Already live \- or happy to relocate \- within a one\-hour commute of Lidl GB Head Office, Tolworth
- German language skills desirable but not essential
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- 35 days holiday (pro rata)
- 10% in\-store discount
- Enhanced family leave
- Pension scheme
- *We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us to celebrate individuality and grow in a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment*
If you’re ready to get stuck in, want to get more out of your career and make a real difference, find your place at Lidl and apply now.
\*includes 10% non\-contractual London Weighting allowance
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