Food Service Buyer - Consumables, Vending & Autonomous

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work.  

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Consumables Vending & Autonomous Buyer to manage the sourcing, buying, and supplier relationships for consumable goods and vending equipment across our food service retail operations. This role is essential in ensuring that our stores and outlets are fully equipped with high-quality, cost-effective supplies and self-service solutions that meet operational and brand standards. 

What you will be doing:

Consumables Buying: 

• Defining the need and leading the buying process for store-level consumables including packaging, napkins, cutlery and crockery, takeaway containers, sauces, sugars. 
• Collaborating with wider food service team, operations, health & safety, and group procurement teams to ensure consumables align with operational needs, food safety standards, brand guidelines and supplier framework agreements.
• Identifying and delivering cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or sustainability targets. 

Vending & Autonomous Retail: 

• Sourcing and managing vending & autonomous retail solutions including coffee, food and soft drink dispensers, and related services. Setting the overarching vending category plan and collaborate with category buyers to align machine offerings with key product priorities 
• Collaborating with maintenance and group procurement to negotiate contracts and SLAs with equipment providers, refill services, and maintenance vendors. 
• Ensuring uptime, functionality, and brand consistency of all vending solutions across the estate. 

Supplier & Contract Management: 

• Building strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers and negotiate favourable commercial terms. 
• Conducting regular supplier performance reviews and monitor KPIs (cost, delivery, service quality). 

Sustainability & Compliance: 

• Ensuring all consumables comply with food safety, hygiene regulations, and environmental policies. 
• Driving commercial decisions that support waste reduction and sustainable sourcing (e.g., compostable packaging, low-energy vending units). 

Budgeting & Reporting: 

• Monitoring spend against category budgets, analyse variances, and recommend corrective actions. 

Stakeholder Collaboration: 

• Liaising with operations, food safety, maintenance and merchandising to ensure consumables and vending equipment are available, compliant, and fit for purpose. 
• Supporting store openings, refurbishments, and new concept rollouts with consumables and vending provisioning. 

What we are looking for 

• Previous buying/procurement/commercial experience within the food industry– necessary 
• Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint essential) 
• Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively 
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment 
• Strong commercial acumen 
• Negotiation knowledge and skills 
• Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data 
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills 
• Proactive and resourceful 
• Great team player 

About us 

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.  

Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone. 

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here. 

We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!