Buyer

Southside Dublin
Permanent
Full-time

8 days ago

Who We Are:Established in 1992, Applegreen is a leading convenience roadside retailer in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the US in both large-scale Motorway Service Areas and Travel Plazas, as well as smaller petrol stations. The business has grown to over €4.1BN in annual revenue, operating over 600+ Motorway Service Plazas and forecourt sites internationally and employing over 16,000 people. Our products and services include large scale food and beverage operations, convenience stores, roadside refuelling including electric vehicle channels, in addition to a number of other ancillary business lines for example our hotels and gaming business in Welcome Break and our commercial fuel and airline refuelling business.We partner with a large number of high-quality international brands in each market including Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Burger King, Subway, Greggs, KFC, 7-Eleven, Shake Shack, Dunkin Donuts, M&S, Chopstix, etc in addition to our own proprietary Bakewell brand. In 2021 Applegreen moved from a PLC to a private ownership company structure in partnership with Blackstone Infrastructure Partners acquiring the public equity interest in the business.At Applegreen, it’s our people that make us a success. We collaborate as a growing international business, while ensuring locally led high performing teams in each of our regions. Each region has distinct elements in its culture while operating within a Group culture that is built around a clear employee proposition considering the needs of all our people. There is a strong entrepreneurial culture in the business which is driven by the founders who started the business more than 30 years ago and are still closely involved with the business today.We are so proud to have taken home the Well-being Strategy Award at the Irish HR Champion Awards this year. This award is a symbol of the committment to well-being that everyone in Applegreen shows and the hard work that our Senior Leaders, Managers and HR team put into cultivatinga culture where employee well-being is at the centre.Description:Role Introduction:Established in 1992, Applegreen is a leading convenience roadside retailer in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the US in both large-scale Motorway Service Areas and Travel Plazas, as well as smaller petrol stations. The business has grown to over €3BN in annual revenue, operating 600 Motorway Service Plazas and forecourt sites internationally and employing over 17,000 people.Applegreen is in a rapid growth phase and to support this ambitious growth, we are seeking to onboard a Buyer, to join our team.This role will form part of the Trading team and reports to the Senior Buyer The successful candidate will be a confident people person who can fit into Applegreen seamlessly and adopt a hands-on approach to their role.As a Buyer at Applegreen, you will play a pivotal role in the overall management of specific Store categories. You will be a member of the trading team including buyers and support staff, implementing strategic initiatives that align with our business growth. This position requires a skilled professional who possesses strong analytical abilities, robust negotiation skills, and the aptitude to foster collaborative relationships both internally and externally. This role will have one direct report.Key Responsibilities:As Applegreen expands, the responsibilities will evolve and change over time. The core responsibilities will centre around the following areas:Category Management:

Oversee full category management for your designated product area, including responsibility for sales performance, margin optimization, budget adherence, and inventory management.

Supplier Relationships:

Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with existing and prospective suppliers, ensuring alignment with key company departments to enhance trading strategies.

Contract Negotiation:

Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, demonstrating sound commercial practices and ensuring favourable terms through effective Joint Business Planning (JBP) and Long-Term Agreement (LTA) negotiations.

Income Opportunities:

Identify, develop, and execute initiatives aimed at increasing ancillary income streams, enhancing overall profitability and market presence.

Product Development:

Scout and source innovative, high-quality product development opportunities. Manage the product lifecycle from conceptualization through to execution, ensuring alignment with market needs.

Process Improvement:

Drive operational efficiencies within the Trading department by implementing new processes and advocating for change when necessary.

Market Analysis:

Stay abreast of market and industry trends through competitor analysis, ensuring our product offering remains competitive and relevant.

Range Planning:

Strategically plan and develop range plans for core and seasonal product buys to optimize assortment and stock levels.

Quality Assurance:

Ensure that quality standards are met across all products, aligning with customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Pricing Strategy:

Set and review pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness in the marketplace while ensuring profitability. Maintain a comprehensive pricing policy and closely monitor competitor pricing activities to ensure alignment with market conditions.

Performance Improvement:

Lead initiatives for continuous improvement at both the category and process levels, focusing on delivering best value and quality within the team.

Sales Monitoring:

Monitor and report on sales performance metrics to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for strategic adjustments.

Strategic Planning:

Engage in strategic planning for product and category offerings to align with long-term business objectives.

KPI Management:

Generate, track, and analyse Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to assess performance against set business goals.

Supply Chain Coordination:

Collaborate with the supply chain team and suppliers to ensure optimal product availability across our range, managing any potential disruptions proactively.

The Candidate should have the following:Qualifications, experience & skills

3+ year’s experience in buying with demonstrable track record in category management and strategic sourcing.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
Exceptional negotiation and vendor management skills.
Demonstrable track record in category management and strategic sourcing.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across various organizational levels.

Additional key skills & attributes:

A dynamic individual who adapts well to change and can thrive in a rapidly growing organisation that continues to evolve.
Proven track record of delivering to tight deadlines.
A highly organised individual with ability to plan and prioritise workloads effectively for maximum impact and adapt around changing priorities as required.
Ability to execute directly at high quality and pace.
Excellent drive, enthusiasm and commitment and a keen interest in developing a career in Applegreen.
A ‘can do’ attitude and a positive solution focused mindset.
Has strong commercial acumen and a focus on delivering value to the business.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, and ability to engage and develop relationships with individuals at all levels of the organisation.
Be a self-starter, and also be able to work collaboratively as a member of a highly interdependent team across many parts of Applegreen.
Is resilient, calm under pressure and comfortable dealing with ambiguity.
Has sound judgement and objective logical decision-making skills.
Has strong leadership potential and management skills, who will be a role model for the people and culture at Applegreen.
Proficiency in procurement software and tools; experience with ERP systems is a plus.
Project management skills are a bonus
A proactive approach to problem-solving and a change-oriented mindset.
Microsoft office intermediate to advanced level in excel, PowerPoint & word
SAP Experience, Power BI or equivalent beneficial
Experience within a convenience FMCG retail environment also advantageous
Willing to travel ad hoc if required in addition to supporting out of hours content development as required.

Illustrative Application & Screening Process (subject to change):Application Process:

Please submit an up to date tailored CV (max 2 pages)

Interview & Selection Process:

Two interview rounds will be required for this role.

Skills and attributes:

ERP Software
FMCG
strong negotiation skills
SAP experience
Power BI

Applegreen

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