Category Buyer, Fresh Produce

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

Our Commercial team is a large, but a close-knit group of trading experts, who are ready to shape the future of Coles. We pride ourselves on the long-lasting supplier relationships we build, the new ideas we develop and how passionately we work to help Australian eat and live better every day. And the best part? We’re all so different. We bring diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experience to every Business Unit across Coles Supermarkets and Liquor.

About the role

Are you commercially savvy with a passion for fresh, high-quality product and supplier relationships? We’re looking for an experienced Category Buyer to join our Fresh Produce team and play a key role in delivering outstanding value, availability, and quality for our customers.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for developing and executing trade plans, securing supply at optimal cost, and building strong partnerships with suppliers. You’ll work cross-functionally with supply chain, marketing, and store operations to ensure seamless delivery of category plans and exceptional in-store outcomes.

You’ll also:

• Develop, implement and manage trade plans to deliver commercial outcomes
• Negotiate pricing and manage supplier agreements and supplier splits
• Collaborate closely with suppliers on volumes, promotions, seasonal planning, and key events
• Monitor category performance, availability, and market trends, adjusting plans as required
• Support promotional planning including catalogues and “Best of Fresh” campaigns
• Work cross-functionally with supply chain, forecasting, and store teams to ensure supply continuity
• Manage budgets and deliver against key commercial metrics (margin, cost, space, promotions)
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders on pricing, availability, and key initiatives
• Conduct range reviews and initiate assortment and space changes

About you and your skills

You’re a highly commercial and relationship-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You bring strong negotiation skills and the ability to balance cost, quality, and availability while building lasting partnerships with suppliers. You’re analytical, proactive, and collaborative, with a passion for delivering results and continuously improving performance.

You’ll also ideally have:

• Proven experience in buying, category management, or commercial roles (retail or FMCG preferred)
• Strong negotiation and supplier management capability
• Commercial acumen with the ability to manage margins, pricing, and budgets
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to analyse data and translate insights into action
• Experience with trade planning, promotions, and category performance management
• A collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Passion for fresh product and a dynamic, ever-changing category

Please note: applications close 26th July 2026.

#LI-EC1

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 190154

Employment Type: Full time