Buyer - Tech & Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Buyer - Tech & Marketing

🔹 Company: Sainsbury's

🔹 Location: London, Coventry, Manchester

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: June 24, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving strategic sourcing and procurement of marketing technology solutions
• Leading multiple commercial tenders and negotiations
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with Sainsbury’s Procurement Policy
• Contributing to the design of category strategies, conducting supplier evaluations, and providing insight-driven analysis

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of procurement principles and techniques, as well as a keen interest in marketing and technology. It is expected that the successful candidate will have experience in a commercial environment and be able to manage suppliers and stakeholders effectively.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Drive the strategic sourcing and procurement of marketing technology solutions that support Sainsbury’s customer and brand ambitions

✅ Source innovative products and services like CRM platforms, ad tech, analytics, and content systems to enhance customer engagement and optimise campaign performance

✅ Lead multiple commercial tenders and negotiations across MarTech categories, ensuring all procurement activity is delivered in line with Sainsbury’s Procurement Policy

✅ Contribute to the design of category strategies, conduct supplier evaluations, and provide insight-driven analysis to inform decision-making

ASSUMPTION: The role involves working closely with the Technology, Marketing, and Digital teams, as well as other cross-functional stakeholders. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential for success in this position.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Marketing, or a related discipline)

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in procurement or relevant commercial experience, with a strong interest in marketing and technology

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work as part of a cross-functional team
• Strong understanding of procurement principles and techniques
• Ability to lead complex tenders and negotiate commercial terms, particularly with digital platforms and SaaS providers
• Attention to detail, basic legal knowledge, and adherence to procurement policies
• Experience negotiating with third parties with a level of knowledge on contract law
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in procurement technology and/or marketing procurement technology

ASSUMPTION: While a level of procurement technology and/or marketing procurement technology background would be desirable, it is certainly not essential for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on experience and performance)

Benefits:

• Career development opportunities
• Work-life balance
• Competitive benefits package

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (2 days in the office)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a procurement role with 2-5 years of experience in the retail sector. Actual salary may vary based on individual performance and other factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically in the supermarket and general merchandise sector

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (as of 2021)

Founded: 1869

Company Description:

• Sainsbury's is the UK's second-biggest retailer, offering a wide range of products including food, clothing, and general merchandise
• The company focuses on great value and convenient shopping across its family of brands, which includes Argos, Nectar, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank, Smart Charge, and Tu
• Sainsbury's is committed to putting food back at the heart of its business and investing in technology and people to take the company to the next level

Company Specialties:

• Retail
• Food & Groceries
• Clothing & General Merchandise
• Digital & Technology
• Supermarket
• Banking & Finance
• Online

Company Website: sainsburys.jobs

ASSUMPTION: Sainsbury's is a well-established retailer with a strong presence in the UK market. The company is committed to innovation and continuous improvement, which presents opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for career progression within the procurement function

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Procurement Manager and works closely with the Head of Procurement and Supplier Management

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 days in the office (London, Coventry, or Manchester) and the remaining days working from home

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the procurement function, such as taking on more complex categories or moving into a management role
• Expanding knowledge and skills in marketing technology and digital platforms
• Opportunities to work on high-profile strategic sourcing activities

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in both procurement and marketing technology, providing a strong foundation for career growth and development within Sainsbury's or the broader retail industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work

Office Location(s): London, Coventry, Manchester

Geographic Context:

• London: A vibrant and multicultural city, home to Sainsbury's headquarters and a significant number of employees
• Coventry: A historic city in the West Midlands, with a strong manufacturing heritage and a growing tech industry
• Manchester: A major city in the North West of England, known for its music and cultural scene, as well as its thriving digital and tech sectors

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with a flexible work arrangement that allows for a healthy work-life balance

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing employees to collaborate and build relationships in the office while also enjoying the flexibility and convenience of working from home.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and CV screening
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with the Head of Procurement and Supplier Management

Key Assessment Areas:

• Commercial acumen and understanding of procurement principles
• Communication and stakeholder management skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic environment

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of marketing technology and its relevance to Sainsbury's
• Prepare examples of your procurement experience and achievements to discuss during the interview

ATS Keywords: Procurement, Commercial Acumen, Negotiation, Supplier Management, Stakeholder Management, Marketing Technology, CRM Platforms, Ad Tech, Analytics, Content Systems

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's commercial acumen, communication skills, and cultural fit within Sainsbury's.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• SAP Ariba
• SAP Fieldglass
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Procurement-specific software and platforms (e.g., Jaggaer, Coupa, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the individual team and department within Sainsbury's.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Putting food at the heart of our business
• Investing in technology and people
• Thinking bigger about how we attract and connect with our customers
• Creating a more resilient UK food system

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional, working closely with various teams and stakeholders
• Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement
• Data-driven and analytical, with a strong emphasis on insights and decision-making

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do I have a strong understanding of procurement principles and techniques, and am I eager to apply them in a marketing technology context?
• Am I comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and adapting to change?
• Do I possess excellent communication skills and the ability to influence others, particularly in a cross-functional setting?

ASSUMPTION: Sainsbury's is a large, established retailer with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Candidates should be comfortable working in a collaborative, data-driven environment and be eager to contribute to the company's ongoing success.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities in a dynamic environment
• Navigating the complexities of marketing technology and digital platforms
• Adapting to changes in the retail industry and consumer behavior
• Balancing the needs of various internal and external stakeholders while ensuring alignment with Sainsbury's Procurement Policy

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills will be essential for overcoming these challenges.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike traditional procurement roles, this position focuses specifically on marketing technology, requiring a unique blend of skills and knowledge
• In the retail industry, this role is relatively niche, with a focus on driving value through strategic sourcing and procurement in the marketing technology space
• Career progression in this role could lead to more senior procurement positions within Sainsbury's or other retail organizations, or to specialized marketing technology roles within the broader tech industry

ASSUMPTION: While this role is unique in its focus on marketing technology, it shares many similarities with other procurement roles in the retail sector. Candidates with relevant experience in procurement or commercial environments are likely to find this role appealing and well-suited to their skillset.

📝 Sample Projects

• Leading a strategic sourcing project for a new CRM platform to enhance customer engagement and optimize campaign performance
• Conducting a comprehensive review of Sainsbury's ad tech stack and negotiating better terms with existing suppliers
• Designing a category strategy for analytics tools and platforms, including supplier evaluations and insight-driven analysis

ASSUMPTION: The specific projects undertaken in this role will depend on the current priorities and needs of Sainsbury's marketing technology function. However, they are likely to involve strategic sourcing, supplier management, and data-driven decision-making.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current marketing technology landscape at Sainsbury's, and how this role fits into that picture?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams and stakeholders within Sainsbury's, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
• What opportunities exist for career growth and development within the procurement function at Sainsbury's?
• How does Sainsbury's approach innovation and continuous improvement in the marketing technology space, and how can this role contribute to that effort?
• What is the work-life balance like for this role, and how does Sainsbury's support employees in achieving a healthy work-life balance?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, team dynamics, and career prospects for this role. They also demonstrate the candidate's interest in and understanding of the position and its context within Sainsbury's.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Sainsbury's careers website
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a particular focus on marketing technology and procurement
• Prepare examples of your procurement experience and achievements to discuss during the interview
• Research Sainsbury's and the retail industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its context
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role and confirm receipt of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.