Summary
£93,500 – £103,400 | 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 Senior Buying Manager to join the team. You’ll be the architect of our market-leading Fresh Produce section, influencing everything from the vibrant colour of our tomatoes to the crispness of our seasonal greens.
As a Senior Buying Manager, you’ll thrive in our fast-paced, dynamic environment where your voice truly matters. You will be the driving force behind our fresh produce range, curating the seasonal fruits and vegetables that line our shelves.
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 depends on your vision as a Fresh Produce Senior Buying Manager. It is your expertise that ensures the industry’s highest quality products are on our shelves when the doors open at 8:00 AM, delighting our customers and reinforcing our reputation for exceptional value. If you bring a proactive mindset and a drive to excel within a fast-moving, award-winning retail environment, we would love 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
- Take end-to-end accountability for the journey of our fruit and vegetables, from the farm gate to the shelf edge
- Confidently oversee multi-million-pound investments across volatile global commodity and fresh produce markets
- Build a world-class supplier network and navigate complex commercial agreements with growers around the world
- Lead rigorous quality inspections and sensory assessments to perfect appearance and texture, ensuring every batch meets our strict benchmarks
- Direct the creative and commercial aspects of your category, from initial sample tastings to the final sign-off on packaging and presentation
- Develop strategic logistics solutions to ensure produce lands in our Regional Distribution Centres exactly when needed to stock our 1,000+ stores
- Present confidently to Buying Directors and Board Directors, and seamlessly deputise for the Head of Department when required
- Actively mentor, train, and upskill junior buyers to build a high-performing department
- Act as the designated deputy for the Head of Department, taking ownership of high-level decisions and supporting the wider team’s success
What you’ll need
- Established background as a Senior Buyer. Experience specifically within Fresh Produce or a similar commercial food retail role is highly advantageous
- Demonstrated success leading complex supplier negotiations, coupled with a deep understanding of how seasonality, weather, and commodity costs impact yield and pricing
- Comprehensive knowledge of fresh produce production—spanning varietal differences, growing conditions, post-harvest handling, and shelf life—and how these factors drive customer satisfaction
- Confident and articulate, with the conviction to stand firmly behind your ideas and the authority to influence stakeholders and deputise for Heads of Departments
- Known for being highly pragmatic, logical, and exceptionally quick-thinking in a fast-paced environment
- A full UK driving licence, plus residence (or willingness to relocate) within a one-hour commute of the Lidl GB Head Office in Tolworth
- German language proficiency is desirable, though not essential
What you’ll receive
- 35 days holiday (pro rata)
- 10% in-store discount
- Enhanced family leave
- Pension scheme
- Plus, more of the perks you deserve
- includes 10% non-contractual London Weighting allowance
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
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment
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