Senior Buying Manager Fresh Produce

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

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

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