head of commercial & buying int-0427

Intellectica is seeking a motivated and dynamic Head of Commercial & Buying on behalf of a rapidly expanding retail chain specializing in convenience goods and take-away coffee. With a strong presence in Northern Greece, the company is committed to delivering high-quality service and building strong franchise partnerships. As part of its continued evolution, the successful candidate will play a key role at the company’s headquarters in Thessaloniki. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this strategic role will lead commercial operations and supplier negotiations across a network of over 100+ stores, acting as a key business partner to senior leadership.

Key activities and responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead the development and execution of central buying strategies across FMCG and convenience product categories, ensuring competitive commercial terms and supplier alignment

• Represent the company in high-level negotiations with supplier executives (Commercial Directors, CEOs), securing long-term partnerships and favorable pricing structures

• Act as the Managing Director’s commercial counterpart, supporting strategic decision-making and relieving operational workload through proactive ownership of buying processes

• Define and implement category strategies that balance assortment, margin optimization, and innovation across the network

• Manage key supplier relationships through regular business reviews, evaluating performance, service levels, and innovation potential

• Negotiate new contracts and renewals, ensuring compliance with quality, ethical, and operational standards

• Monitor market and pricing trends, identifying opportunities for cost optimization and competitive advantage

• Conduct quarterly category reviews to identify delisting opportunities, introduce new products, and adjust assortments based on performance data and consumer trends

• Participate in layout planning and procurement for new store openings, adapting shelf configurations and product placement based on commercial strategy

• Support franchisees by ensuring consistent application of central agreements, resolving commercial issues, and acting as their main point of contact for buying-related matters

• Coordinate with internal departments (legal, operations, marketing, logistics) to ensure smooth implementation of commercial agreements and product layouts across new and existing stores

• Lead and mentor the commercial coordination team, ensuring effective execution of supplier agreements, product updates, and in-store rollouts

• Prepare clear and data-driven reports to inform senior leadership on supplier metrics, category trends, and strategic recommendations

• Any other task that may be required from time to time

Professional experience & qualifications of a successful candidate:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field

• At least 10 years of work experience in retail buying, ideally within the supermarket, convenience retail, or F&B sectors

• Experience managing teams and coordinating cross-functional commercial activities

• Proven track record in supplier negotiations, retail pricing, and commercial strategy

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to analyze financial data and KPIs

• Familiarity with ERP (Atlantis is preferred but not mandatory) and Commercial Systems (Retail Studio is preferred but not mandatory)

• Proficient use of MS Office

• Fluent in Greek and English

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally within the region

Core competencies of a successful candidate:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

• Discreet and trustworthy with high accountability

• Commercially astute and negotiation-savvy

• Hands-on, proactive, and solution-oriented

• Supportive team leader and collaborator

• Comfortable in fast-paced, evolving environments

• Taking initiative and working effectively under pressure

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