Buying (Trading) Graduate

Musgrave supports thousands of retail and foodservice family businesses across Ireland. Through brands such as SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak, Frank and Honest and Musgrave MarketPlace, we help feed one in three people in Ireland every day.

That scale creates real opportunity. As a Musgrave Graduate, you’ll contribute to work that supports local communities, strengthens our business and helps shape long-term sustainable growth. Our values guide how we do that — through honest relationships, trust, hard work and a commitment to doing the right thing.

Our Buying teams ensure we have the right products, at the right price and at the right time for our customers. They work with suppliers and colleagues across Marketing, Sales, Own Brand Development, Supply Chain, Operations and Finance.

The Buying (Trading) Graduate Programme is a key commercial talent pipeline. You will build commercial, negotiation, influencing and analytical skills while working in at least two buying teams.

You will gain experience across retail and wholesale brands, product portfolios and market requirements.

Musgrave Institute – Where Futures Are Created

Through Musgrave Institute, you’ll be part of an award-winning Graduate Programme designed to help you understand your strengths, build your confidence and develop the skills to shape your future career.

Your development will include tailored learning, key experiences in your role, coaching, mentoring and bespoke graduate development days. You’ll also work on business projects and present your ideas to senior leaders at our Early Careers Summit — giving you the opportunity to make an impact and build your network from the start.

Key activities include:

• Assess market, consumer and competitor trends and support management of the product range.

• Review pricing, margin performance and competitor positioning.

• Plan promotions, brief suppliers, review proposals and complete post-promotional analysis.

• Support sourcing and the introduction of own-brand products.

• Help develop joint business plans and maintain supplier relationships.

• Monitor supplier service levels and product availability.

• Support negotiation of total purchase costs for relevant portfolios.

• Track sales, margin and income measures and maintain accurate product information.

• Support category projects with Sales, Marketing, Operations and Finance.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Honours Degree (Level 8); all disciplines accepted

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Practical internship or experience in a commercial role

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Commercial interest in food and beverage retail or wholesale

• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to inform decisions

• Influencing and negotiation skills

• Ability to manage challenging discussions constructively

• Ability to prioritise and deliver to deadlines

• Microsoft Office skills

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Experience of influencing or negotiation

• Strategic thinking capability

• Food, beverage, retail or wholesale experience

Starting salary is €35,000 and increases after 12 months subject to performance.

• 5% Programme completion bonus

Additional benefits include:

• Hybrid Working

• 23 days holidays

• Market Leading Pension Scheme

• Subsidised Cafeteria

• Be Well Work Well: our health and wellbeing programme

• Employee Assistance Programme: Free, independent and confidential advice on mental health, wellbeing, financial or legal issues

• Employee discount in Musgrave MarketPlace

• Award-Winning Development (gradireland Graduate Employer of the Year in 2019 and 2021, Best Graduate Training and Development Programme - Business Management in 2024, 2025 and 2026)

• Customised learning through Musgrave Institute

• Individual coaching

• Life Assurance

• Income Protection

• Bike to Work scheme

• Free parking

• Digital Doctor

• Home office equipment

• Employee Resource Groups

Additional location information

We enjoy a flexible hybrid way of working which allows us to focus on our outcomes and contributions. Work Smart @Musgrave is our hybrid approach which gives us the option to alternate our time between connecting and collaborating in the office and working remotely. Working this way allows us to enjoy the best of the remote working experience while also giving us the opportunity to connect in person and work together onsite. Across Musgrave, our roles allow for different levels of flexibility.

Hybrid arrangements are currently 3 days in the office. Occasional business travel may be required. The office locations for this role are Cork and Dublin, with rotations across buying teams in both locations.