- Head Office Rochdale, Greater Manchester
- Careers at London Depot, Romford
- Forrest Team of 70+ and growing!
At Forrest Fresh Foods, our people are what set us apart
We’re a proud, family-run business turning over in excess of £86m+ a year. Our success is definitely down to our people. Without whom, we wouldn’t be successful. Our whole ethos is hard work, honesty, reliability, and transparency. Yes, our business has family at the helm, but without our colleagues, we wouldn’t be able to fulfil our promises to our customers who, over the years, have come to rely on us as their business partner.
We have some exciting career opportunities available for ambitious people who are as passionate as we are about delivering a great experience for our customers. At Forrest Fresh Foods we offer competitive salaries, generous bonus packages, plus excellent career progression and development.
View some of our current job vacancies below and apply to join an award winning team!
Current Vacancies
Job Description: Head of Buying
Are you an experienced ‘Head of’? Can you:
- Manage a high performing team?
- Demonstrate a track record of achieving growth?
- Demonstrate excellent commercial acumen?
- Devise a strategy to deliver category growth?
Role Overview:
- Manage a team of buyers across multiple categories and suppliers
- Support the team to use the principles of category management
- Manage the promotional cycle of the business
- Monitor, report and analyse all elements of performance of the buying team and their categories.
- Ensure the buying team implement category strategy, range, price & promotional strategy for their categories
- Support the personal development of the buying team
- Develop relationships with suppliers and manufacturers
Skills Required
Essential:
- Experienced people manager
- Experienced Senior buyer/Senior Commercial Manager, with multiple category responsibility
- Coaching Skills, with a track record of people development
- Excellent numerical skills & ability to analyse vast amounts of data quickly
- Excellent command of Microsoft excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, SUMIF etc)
- Excellent communication & presentation skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Problem solving mentality
- Ability to multi-task at pace
- Previous P&L responsibility
- In depth knowledge of FMCG industry & traditional ambient grocery categories
- Strong network within FMCG supplier & Customer base.
Desired:
- Previous experience of buying/selling in a wholesale environment
- Degree Educated
- Experience working with Microsoft Business Central ERP
- Project Management Experience
- Change Management Experience
What we offer
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Bonus Package
- Flexibility to work from home 2 days/week
- Staff Discount
- Career Progression & Development
- Fun, friendly working environment
Apply today by emailing a copy of your CV to kelly@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Senior Buyer
Are you an experienced buyer? Can you:
- Manage multiple categories?
- Negotiate best in market pricing?
- Devise a strategy to deliver category growth?
Role Overview:
- Manage a portfolio of ~£10M purchases per annum across multiple categories and suppliers
- Manage a small team to deliver category growth objectives
- Define the category strategy, range, price & promotional strategy for your & your team’s categories
- Sourcing the best deals in the market by leveraging your network
- Agree JBPs, Trading Terms & marketing activities with Manufactures/Suppliers
- Proactively manage Supplier/Manufacturer payments & payment terms to optimise cash flow
- Proactively manage orders, delivery & transport to optimise profitability
- Develop relationships with suppliers and manufacturers
- Open new accounts with major Grocery suppliers
Skills Required
Essential:
- Experienced Senior buyer, with multiple category responsibility including Ambient groceries or residuals/clearance
- Excellent command of Microsoft excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, SUMIF etc)
- Excellent communication & presentation skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Problem solving mentality
- Excellent numerical skills & ability to analyse data
- Ability to multi-task at pace
- Previous P&L responsibility
- In depth knowledge of FMCG industry & traditional grocery categories
Desired:
- Previous experience of buying/selling in a wholesale environment
- Degree Educated
- Coaching Skills
- People Management
- Experience working with Microsoft Business Central ERP
What we offer
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Bonus Package
- Flexibility to work from home 2 days/week
- Staff Discount
- Career Progression & Development
- Fun, friendly working environment
Apply today by emailing a copy of your CV to kelly@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Buyer
Are you an experienced buyer? Can you:
- Demonstrate category growth
- Negotiate best in market pricing & promotions?
- Negotiate & Manage Trading terms & JBPs?
Role Overview:
- Manage a portfolio of >£5M purchases per annum across key categories and suppliers
- Deliver category growth objectives
- Manage stockholding for your category to be within agreed levels
- Mitigate Cost Price Increases
- With the support of the Senior Buyer define the category strategy, range, price & promotional strategy for your categories
- Sourcing the best deals in the market by leveraging your network
- Agree JBPs & marketing activities with Manufactures/Suppliers
- Proactively manage Supplier/Manufacturer payments & payment terms to optimise cash flow
- Proactively manage orders, delivery & transport to optimise profitability
- Develop relationships with suppliers and manufacturers
- Manage promotional calendar for your categories
Skills Required
Essential:
- Experienced FMCG buyer
- Knowledge of UK grocery categories
- Excellent command of Microsoft excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, SUMIF etc)
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Problem solving mentality
- Excellent numerical skills & ability to analyse data
- Ability to multi-task at pace
Desired:
- Previous experience of buying/selling in a wholesale environment
- Degree Educated
What we offer
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Bonus Package
- Flexibility to work from home 2 days/week
- Staff Discount
- Career Progression & Development
- Fun, friendly working environment
Apply today by emailing a copy of your CV to kelly@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Assistant Buyer
Are you looking to start your career in buying?
- Have you got great analytical skills?
- Do you like building relationships?
- Are you detail oriented?
Role Overview
- Support the efficient running of the buying team with internal reporting; tracking the team’s performance vs: KPIs, Stock availability, stock risk, JBPs & supplier retros.
- Co-Ordinate the implementation of JBPs & marketing activities with Manufactures/Suppliers & the Team.
- Proactively manage Supplier/Manufacturer payments & chase aged debt; liaising with Credit Control as relevant.
- Perform comp shops for your category and advise the Category Buyer of any outliers
- Manage re-order levels and stockholding by depot and SKU in the system to keep stockholding within agreed targets
- In conjunction with the Senior Buyers & Buyers, manage relationships with Suppliers & Manufacturers to ensure campaigns are successfully delivered, commercial opportunities are identified, and sales are optimised by sourcing the best deals in the market.
Role Responsibilities:
- Placing Purchase Orders with suppliers
- Setting up and maintaining products on our ERP system
- Ensuring mater data from suppliers is accurate & up to date in the system
- Running & monitoring all key reports for the buying team
Skills Required
- Good command of Microsoft excel
- Good communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving mentality
- Strong numerical skills & ability to analyse data
- Ability to multi-task at pace
What we offer
- Competitive Salary
- Eligible for company bonus
- Staff Discount
- Career Progression & Development
Apply today by emailing a copy of your CV to kelly@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Buying Assistant
Are you looking to start your career in buying?
- Have you got great analytical skills?
- Are you organised and methodical?
- Are you detail oriented?
Role Overview
- Support the efficient running of the buying team by setting up and maintaining up to date product information in the system
- Update and maintain Supplier cost prices in the system
- Update and maintain Supplier information in the system (MOQ, lead time, contacts, Invoice Price List)
- Ensure excellent execution of products on the website (no missing images, customer friendly products descriptions, no missing information)
Role Responsibilities:
- Setting up and maintaining products on our ERP system
- Ensuring mater data from suppliers is accurate & up to date in the system
- Maintaining price files in the system
Skills Required
- Good command of Microsoft excel
- Good communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving mentality
- Strong numerical skills & ability to analyse data
- Ability to multi-task at pace
What we offer
- Competitive Salary
- Staff Discount
- Career Progression & Development
Apply today by emailing a copy of your CV to kelly@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Regional Business Development Manager
Key Responsibilities:
- Management of a diverse portfolio of accounts in the territory
- Achieve defined sales Targets on a monthly/ quarterly basis
- Selling new products and tracking brand distribution at an account level
- Track and monitor customer performance
- Identify and convert new customer opportunities
- Provide all appropriate reports and updates to the Head of Field Sales and the wider business as required
- Liaise with the operational team to plan and ensure excellent customer service
Essential Experience:
- Minimum 3 years field sales experience in a recognised FMCG branded environment
- Knowledge of Convenience Retail and Discount Retail account bases
- Can demonstrate previous success and growth achievements in a similar role or industry
- IT literate including all Microsoft applications
- Commercial understanding of key financial measures including GP and PoR calculations
- Growth Mindset
- "Drive" and "Will do Attitude"
Desired Experience:
- Good existing contact network in the specific territory
- Knowledge of clearance/residuals stocks
- Product category knowledge; Confectionery, Soft Drinks, Crisps & Snacks, Groceries, Household & Cleaning
Reporting To: Head of Field Sales
Apply by email and please include your CV and cover letter.
email: T.Neve@forrestfoods.com
Job Description: Territory Account Manager
Reports to – National Field Sales Manager
Based – London
Background
Forrest Foods is family owned national wholesaler with an annual T/O in excess of £85m and has grown at more than 10% per year on average over the last 6 years. As Sugro’s largest member, we have numerous growth streams in our future plans. In the UK we have strong business in Independent Retail and Independent Wholesale channels, with a significant and growing Export business. We have 2 UK warehouses, with our company HQ in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The company owns its own fleet of vehicles and runs all it’s own distribution. We are actively looking to recruit an experienced Territory Account Manager to join the successful and expanding Field Sales Team.
This is a field based position with daily focus on selling major FMCG brands to independent retailers, food service operators and leisure outlets in a defined geographical territory. You will be out visiting customers at their premises on a daily basis. This is not a desk based role. Responsible for planning and developing the territory to maximise its potential and driving the daily end to end management of sales orders and customer service to achieve weekly and monthly sales targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Management of a diverse portfolio of accounts in the territory
- Achieve defined sales targets on a monthly / quarterly basis
- Opening up new customers / bringing new customer on board
- Selling new products and tracking brand distribution at account level
- Track and monitor customer performance
- Identify, prospect and open new retail customer accounts capable of achieving defined MoQ’s
- Provide all appropriate reports and updates to National Field Sales Manager and wider business as required
- Liaise with our internal Buying and Operational teams to
plan and ensure excellent product availability and customer service
What we need from you?
- Minimum 3 years field sales experience in a recognised FMCG branded environment
- Preferably with a good existing contact network of Independent Retailers
- Demonstrate previous success and growth achievements
- Knowledge of Discount / Leisure / Convenience retail channels
- IT literate, including all Microsoft applications
- Commercial understanding of key financial measures, including GP and PoR calculations
- Product category knowledge would be highly desirable – Confectionery, soft drinks, crisps & snacks, general grocery, non-food etc
- Growth mindset and ideas
- ESSENTIAL - “Drive”, “sense of urgency” and “Can do Attitude”
- Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
To apply, please send your CV to - t.neve@forrestfoods.com
Megaretailer: Retail Supervisors (Multiple vacancies)
Background
This is a BRAND NEW business opportunity in a new FMCG Retail business, under the umbrella of a well established, fast growing, major national FMCG wholesale company. A chance to join a brand new business at the very start, to make your mark and be part of an exciting growth journey over years to come.
Overview
We are looking for a Retail Supervisor to oversee facilities, security and customer service. Duty Manager responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, ensuring employee productivity, monitoring efficiency of all processes and creating a positive work environment for employees. You will also meet regularly with upper management to stay up-to-date with organizational changes, issues and improvements. Ultimately, you will ensure all operations flow smoothly and help us meet our company goals.
Responsibilities
- Keep track of monthly, quarterly and yearly goals
- Work with management to assess and improve processes and policies
- Monitor and report on revenue and cash flow
- Uphold and enforce company policies
- Train new hires
- Address employee complaints or performance issues as needed
- Check in with employees regularly to determine satisfaction
- Schedule shifts
- Help management create the department’s budget
- Address customer issues and complaints
- Schedule regular maintenance and cleaning of facilities
- Meet regularly with upper management to stay informed on company issues
- Oversee security of the facility
What we need from you
- Work experience as a Duty Manager or similar management role
- Previous experience in FMCG industry is preferred
- Customer service experience
- Knowledge of cash management and bookkeeping procedures
- Team management skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Experience with facilities maintenance and/or security
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Availability to work in shifts including weekends
- Trading time will varies between 7am-9pm
To apply, send your CV to faraja@megaretailer.com
Megaretailer: Retail Assistants (Multiple vacancies)
Background
This is a BRAND NEW business opportunity in a new FMCG Retail business, under the umbrella of a well established, fast growing, major national FMCG wholesale company. A chance to join a brand new business at the very start, to make your mark and be part of an exciting growth journey over years to come
Job Description Overview
As a Retail Assistant, you will play an important role in ensuring that customers have a great shopping experience. In this job, you will perform a range of tasks, including assisting customers with their purchases, restocking merchandise, and helping to maintain a clean and organized store. Your responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of your store, but you can expect to be a vital part of the retail team.
Responsibilities
Some of your key duties will include greeting customers, answering their questions, and directing them to the appropriate departments. You may also be responsible for processing sales transactions and handling cash and credit card payments. Additionally, you will help to set up displays, mark down prices, and keep track of inventory.
What we need from you
As a Retail Assistant, you will need to be able to work well under pressure and have excellent communication and organisational skills. You will be required to be fully flexible to work various shift patterns including weekend to meet business need.
To apply, send your CV to faraja@megaretailer.com
Get to know Forrest...
-
Managing Director, Chris Craven Wins Business Person of the Year 2024
-
World Vegan Day 2024 - Confectionery Spotlight
-
Forrest Fresh Foods showcase at SIAL, Paris 2024
-
National Burger Day 2024 - Our Fuel Express Range
