Good things start here

This could be the very first step towards an exciting new career with us – a fresh beginning. At the Coles Group, these are moments we live for.

Starting good things is what drives our purpose: to sustainably feed all Australians so they can lead healthier, happier lives. With a team of 120,000 people and an iconic portfolio of Australia’s most trusted brands, we’re perfectly positioned to turn a promising start into a whole lot more.

To understand our merchandise business, we need to understand our customers. That’s why you’ll find us working across all business units at Coles Supermarkets, Liquor and Express. Supermarkets is one of the largest teams at Coles, but we’re a close-knit group that come from all over the world. We’re passionate about working at the forefront of merchandising and making sure our customers have quality products at the right price.

Our National Category Buyers are pivotal to the delivery of our strategy. They would with some of the best growers in Australia to ensure that our short- and long-term supply needs are understood, planned, and executed.

Fresh Produce at Coles

The Fresh Produce business is crucial to the delivery of our company wide strategy, and purpose to sustainably feed all Australians to help them lead healthier, happier lives. Innovations in technology, supply chain systems and store formats are all enablers for the future growth of the Fresh Produce business.

About the role

As a National Category Buyer for our Fresh Produce team, you will work alongside our Category Managers, State Buyers, store teams and suppliers to deliver a compelling fresh produce offer for our customers. This is a dynamic, fast paced role with substantial buying remit.

What you’ll be doing

Leading our week-to-week tactical trade driving plan whilst delivering longer term strategic plans. You will manage financials and drive decision making to provide support to the National and State teams in-order to provide stores with the ability to achieve and exceed targets with a customer focus.

You’ll also:

• Work and negotiate with growers and suppliers to develop a high standard of quality, service and mutual benefits to both Coles and the suppliers.
• Build and deliver seasonal commitments by product with growers/suppliers.
• Ensure amazing store availability - working with state-based buyers and suppliers to deliver this.
• Determine the most effective promotional offer that delivers our commercial objectives.
• Maintain a customer focus whilst problem solving and managing supply across the nation.
• Travel within Australia, visiting the countries best growers.

Good things you’ll need

• Current experience in Buying.
• Experience in and an understanding of retail management.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to do so across a variety of stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong problem solving and innovative thinking skills.

Given the state/ territory of the position you are applying for, and to enable Coles to provide a safe environment for its team members, there may be a requirement for you to receive a COVID-19 vaccination before commencing work for Coles, unless you are medically exempt.

Given this, you will be required to disclose your COVID-19 vaccination status as part of your application for employment with Coles. You may be required to provide further evidence of vaccination status as part of your application.

Why Coles?
You’re joining a culture that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success. We’ll invest in you and your career with best practice training, development, and leadership programs. You’ll also receive fantastic team member discounts across our supermarkets and brands.

As part of our focus on achieving a gender balanced workforce, we belong to the WORK180 network as an endorsed employer for women. Our commitment to helping all women thrive in the workplace includes initiatives such as our recently updated parental leave policy, flexible working options and our Employee Assistance Program.

You can explore all this and more at our Coles Careers website.

For everyone who shares our passion
We encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities and cultures – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTQI+ community and people living with disability. We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support accessibility needs – so reach out to us at www.careers.colesgroup.com.au > Careers for everyone > Disability employment.

We’d love to meet you
If you have the skills, experience and motivation to succeed in this role, please take the next step and submit your application.