What is Buying?

At Tesco, our buying function is one of the most important areas of the business. Our core purpose is to make sure:

• We have the right products for our customers
• We have the right prices for our customers
• We drive phenomenal sales and profit growth for the whole business to maintain our number one position in the UK

Based in Cheshunt and Welwyn Garden City, there are three main areas of buying:

1. Food will always be at the heart of our business and will continue to be a driving force in our future operations. The food division not only covers areas such as fruit and vegetables, dairy and bread but also tinned goods, household cleaners and beers, wines & spirits.
2. Non - Food is an area of considerable growth for our business. Our clothing brands have become some of the most well known brands in the UK and Central Europe and our electricals team continue to grow from strength to strength.
3. Corporate Purchasing buys everything that we don't sell in our stores, from staff uniforms to office equipment, from display stands to our delivery lorries. They focus on getting the best deals for the business so they can pass these savings onto our customers.

The three departments interact extensively with other areas of the business, including Stores, Supplychain, Distribution, IT, as well as our Suppliers.

What will I be doing?

After spending a couple of weeks in the office getting to know your team and your surroundings, you will spend 2 months in store getting to grips with the foundations of our business. Your store placement will also give you a great understanding of how decisions made in Head Office affect our stores and ultimately our customers.

Once back in the office, you will start your role immediately. Unlike many other graduate programmes, Tesco graduate buyers are in the driving seat from day one, responsible for their own ranges, prices and promotions. The job will involve working and negotiating with suppliers across the globe, analysing market data and competitor activities, launching promotions and ensuring that products land in stores effectively.

Although you are given a great deal of responsibility from the start, you are not expected to do this alone. You will have a great support network in the form of line managers, mentors, your wider team and other graduates.

Where could it take me?

On the Tesco buying programme, the world is your oyster. Tesco is a global business, operating in 14 countries across Central Europe, Asia and the USA and as a Tesco employee, your career could take you to any of these countries. Graduates can also travel as part of their day to day job. In order for you to understand your products in depth, it is important to start at the beginning, where it is made. With suppliers based all over the world, you could be in Argentina one week and Scotland the next.

The Tesco buying programme is one of the most fast-paced environments in the business and if you show the drive and enthusiasm to get on, you can go far. It is very much down to the individual. However, you will get all the support you need to progress in the forms of regular meetings and reviews with your line manager and most importantly world class training courses.

What skills do I need?

To be successful in buying, you'll have:

• A highly effective analytical and decision making ability
• Great communication skills
• Drive and Ambition
• Great organisational skills and the ability to multitask
• The ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own