Buyer - Catering Supplies

Job Title: Buyer – Catering Supplies

Location: Slough

Reporting To: Head of Catering Supplies

Why Join Bidfood?

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role offering the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to business performance. You’ll work with a dynamic team, influence key supplier relationships, and play a central role in shaping our product offering and future growth of the Catering Supplies pillar.

About the Role

As a Buyer at Bidfood, you will be responsible for maximising the long-term profitability of the Catering Supplies category while building strong, effective partnerships with suppliers. You will manage a portfolio of products and suppliers, delivering commercial value through negotiation, range optimisation, and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

·         Manage and develop a portfolio of Catering Supplies products and suppliers

·         Negotiate pricing, trading terms, and income opportunities to drive profitability

·         Deliver annual promotional and advertising plans in collaboration with the Marketing team

·         Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, driving performance against agreed service levels

·         Work closely with Supply Chain teams to ensure efficient, cost-effective operations and optimal route-to-market

·         Identify opportunities to optimise and develop the product range

·         Support the implementation of category strategies and long-term growth plans

·         Collaborate with the Senior Buyer and Head of Catering Supplies on new product development and innovation

·         Monitor supplier, competitor, and market activity to maintain competitive advantage

·         Continually identify and extract commercial value across the category

Skills & Experience Required

·         Proven experience in a buying or purchasing role, ideally within wholesale, foodservice, commercial cleaning and / or food packaging sector

·         Strong negotiation and commercial acumen

·         Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships

·         Highly organised with strong attention to detail

·         Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

·         Strong analytical and decision-making skills

·         Knowledge of catering supplies, hygiene, or packaging categories (desirable)

Key Competencies

·         Commercially driven and results-focused

·         Strong communication and influencing skills

·         Proactive and resilient under pressure

·         Strategic thinker with a growth mindset

·         Team player with strong cross-functional collaboration skills

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) as a minimum and the opportunity to buy more
• A pension - contribute 4% and we’ll match you (after year 1, we’ll match your contributions up to 6%).
• Life cover that you can increase.
• Access to confidential support and counselling, when you need it.
• A health plan that gives you money back on everyday medical costs for all the family, as well as access to a digital GP.

• Exclusive range of high street discounts including cinema, tech, travel, fashion, food and drink.
• Get paid as you earn - access to up to 20% of your pay before payday.
• Opportunity to buy dental cover and critical illness cover.