Role: Regional Buying Manager, Fresh Foods
Company: Tesco
Track Record:
What does your job entail?
I’m a regional buying manager for fresh foods for Tesco in Northern Ireland. A key part of my typical day is meeting suppliers, of which we have over 90 locally.
With existing suppliers, we might discuss their proposals for products, prices, promotions, merchandising, product sales history and so on — with a view to optimising the profit potential for both parties, whilst ensuring that what is sold in store is right for the customer.
I really enjoy when a potential new supplier comes in to meet me for the first time. In that situation I support the company through the paperwork and process involved in listing new suppliers and products at Tesco.
When I’m not in meetings, I do a lot of work on figures! For example I look across various supplier proposals to work out the best mix of products within a range and promotions for a period which might be 12 weeks away.
In Tesco we work with long lead-times to help ensure we plan properly.
I must carefully combine the plans coming out of our UK head office with my work around locally sourced products.
The most exciting part of my job is new product development — I was heavily involved in developing the range of Tesco Finest Northern Ireland sausages. That involved working closely with the supplier, Downpatrick-based Finnebrogue, along with a Tesco food technologist. We worked out flavours, tested tastes, ensured meat content, set price points, approved pack designs and ensured the health and safety processes involved in making the sausages follow Tesco specifications.
Is it 9-5?
In general yes. I am lucky that I’m able to keep to normal office hours, though on the odd occasion when I have to participate in publicity shots for new products, you might find me out in a field in Comber with a farmer at 8am!
How did you get into this line of work?
I started in admin with Stewarts Supermarkets many years ago in the Newtownards office, working in the beers, wines and spirits section.
Outline your career to date?
By the time Tesco came into Northern Ireland, I had moved to the head office
to an admin role supporting the buyer.
What’s great about working in Tesco is that opportunities open up and people are encouraged and supported when they want to pursue them. It’s as a result of this company approach that I’ve been able to progress to being the buyer for fresh food for Tesco in Northern Ireland.
Tell us about your qualifications/training.
With a job like mine, a lot of training happens ‘on-the-job’. When I was first appointed buyer, my manager supported me as I learned the ropes.
Tesco has world-class training for its people, delivered in-house, and ongoing.
Training can be anything from learning new systems/IT skills to negotiating skills and we are trained in lots of other areas for example, ethics in how we link with our suppliers.
What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?
We build relationships with our suppliers based on trust and it’s important that we relate to the person behind the brand.
Because Tesco is a worldwide brand it is important that we represent the company appropriately in all our contact with people — both inside and outside Tesco. I have found that to do my buying job well, tenacity is critical, as is being driven, numerate, good at multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, and also being patient.
Everybody has deadlines and priorities which may not always align, so being a good influencer is important too.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of work?
The volume of work can be a challenge at times, but we’re a tight local team and are able to work together and get through it.
When I work with a comparatively small company, and help to guide it through the minefield of gaining a listing at Tesco, it is very rewarding to finally see their products on sale, and then doing well sales-wise — because it means that customers like what we have done.
In spring and autumn time we run a Taste of Northern Ireland event in our stores. To see the sales increases that local companies enjoy as a consequence is great— some have had increases of up to 1000%.
Giving local companies exposure and opportunities is what’s most rewarding about my job — it makes me feel that I can use Tesco’s scale for good.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Walking my dog is how I like to relax most days.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
Although I deal with food all day long, cooking is my least favourite pastime
Who has inspired you most in your life?
My parents.