Trainee Buyer

Musgrave is hiring a Trainee Buyer to support product sourcing, pricing, promotions, supplier negotiations, and category management across its retail and wholesale food brands through a two-year commercial development programme.

Musgrave is one of Europe’s most successful family-owned businesses, with a rich 150-year legacy in food and brand innovation. We're proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through 18 iconic brands like SuperValu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave MarketPlace.

By supporting thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve. We're committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we're looking for dynamic, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this journey.

Our brands are successful because they meet the changing needs of today’s shoppers and are developed in collaboration with outstanding local entrepreneurs based in the communities they serve.

Our Buying teams work closely with internal stakeholders in Marketing, Sales, Own Brand Development and Supply Chain in ensuring the right product range is available, delivering competitive promotions to drive sales and innovating to meet the needs of our customers and upcoming trends. 

They also work with our retail partners, foodservice customers and use customer insights data to provide the best solutions.

As we continue our journey toward becoming Ireland’s most trusted and sustainable business, we have an exciting opportunity for a successful candidate to join our Trading (Buying) team as Trainee Buyer. 

Our Trainee Trader/Buyer role is part of our development programme that has proven to be highly successful at developing our commercial talent with former graduates progressing to senior roles in the business. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with a keen interest in the food and beverage retail/wholesale industry who are results-driven, commercially focused and with a desire to drive business performance.

The Trainee Trader/Buyer role is a key commercial talent pipeline for us to grow our own talented buyers. We are looking for emerging talent with a passion for business, food, and customer experience. The purpose of this role is to hone your commercial, negotiating and influencing skills to meet the commercial needs of our customers and our business.

The scope of the Trainee Trader/Buyer role comprises a two-year experiential development programme. To support your commercial development and business knowledge, you will work in at least two different buying teams in Belfast over the course of the 2-year contract. This role will provide you with wide experience across retail and wholesale brands and buying for different market requirements.

What you'll be doing:

• Supporting and learning the management of the portfolio product range, product quality and category plans to ensure that it reflects both market and consumer trends.

• Managing the sourcing and introduction of own label product in conjunction with the product development teams.

• With the support of the Trading Manager, negotiating the total purchase cost of products for Musgrave and our Retail Partners for the relevant portfolios.

• Developing excellent long-term relationships with key stakeholders including suppliers, retail partners and foodservice customers. Retailer/supplier/site visits as required.

• Assess market and competitor trends in your product area and manage the product range to capitalise on/counteract trends.

• Price positioning: assess current pricing and margin performance, review competitor price positioning and look to maximise retailer margins and competitive position within the market.

• Promotion planning: plan events and promotions as per event calendar and brief, communicate to suppliers and review proposals to ensure they meet stated criteria. Conduct post promotional analysis. Brief suppliers on promotional requirements, review proposals and negotiate improvements to offers.

• Profitability: Learn to design and deliver compelling shopper / consumer propositions that are operationally efficient, commercially successful, and which deliver optimum End to End profitability for Musgrave and our Retail / Foodservice partners.

• Performance Management: Learn to take accountability for the delivery of Sales, Margin, and Income metrics

• Work with TM on Development & implementation of joint business plans with key suppliers

• Managing supplier service levels/Availability

• Develop strong cross functional working relationships with key stakeholders including sales, marketing, operations and finance promoting a strong customer focused offer at all times.

• Support project development and rollout within the category.

• Administrative activities linked to accurate maintenance of product/pricing files, promotional handbills, etc.

• Participation in formal development modules on the Musgrave Institute Programme.

What we are looking for:

• Honours Degree (Level 8); all disciplines accepted or Equivalent

• Desire to work in a commercially-focused role in the food and beverage retail/wholesale industry

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to inform decision making

• Strong influencing skills and the ability to manage challenging discussions for win/win outcomes

• Microsoft Office experience

• Ability to deliver to aggressive targets and timelines

• Prioritisation skills to manage workload and competing demands

Desirable Skills:

• Practical internship or experience in a commercial role is an advantage

• Experience of influencing/negotiation situations

• Strategic thinking capability

• Experience of working in the food and beverage or retail/wholesale industry.

• Why Musgrave: 
  Career Development: With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact 

• Innovation Focus: Be part of a company that values forward-thinking solutions 

• Community Focus: Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.

• Be Part of a Legacy: Join a company with a long-standing commitment to community and innovation.