The key qualities that the six best beer and cider buyers have in common are their accessibility and passion for the category.
Fiona Bayley from Sainsbury was praised by suppliers both big and small for her approachability, fairness and willingness to try new products.
One supplier says she has a clear category direction while another calls her the star buyer, saying: "She calls back promptly if a message is left. What buyer does that?"
Tesco's Paul Natt was also highly praised, with suppliers saying he is happy to look to them for advice and help in developing the category. "He's very direct and upfront about what he is trying to achieve from a commercial standpoint," says one supplier.
Safeway's Glenn Payne quickly became a devotee of the category, according to one supplier, and is widely respected for his industry knowledge while Derek Strange from Waitrose has an "encyclopedic knowledge of bottled beers, better than some of the brewers", says one supplier.
This passion for the subject is also evident with David Smith of Booths, who is "prepared to give everyone a fair hearing and to try different things". Batleys' Phil Poulton is described as a "very tough, uncompromising buyer" but "strong on negotiating, accessible and does deliver".
Somerfield's Andy Carling, Morrisons' Jane Petyt, Waitrose's Victoria Joyce and Bestway's Roopinder Singh Toor are also praised.
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Fiona Bayley from Sainsbury was praised by suppliers both big and small for her approachability, fairness and willingness to try new products.
One supplier says she has a clear category direction while another calls her the star buyer, saying: "She calls back promptly if a message is left. What buyer does that?"
Tesco's Paul Natt was also highly praised, with suppliers saying he is happy to look to them for advice and help in developing the category. "He's very direct and upfront about what he is trying to achieve from a commercial standpoint," says one supplier.
Safeway's Glenn Payne quickly became a devotee of the category, according to one supplier, and is widely respected for his industry knowledge while Derek Strange from Waitrose has an "encyclopedic knowledge of bottled beers, better than some of the brewers", says one supplier.
This passion for the subject is also evident with David Smith of Booths, who is "prepared to give everyone a fair hearing and to try different things". Batleys' Phil Poulton is described as a "very tough, uncompromising buyer" but "strong on negotiating, accessible and does deliver".
Somerfield's Andy Carling, Morrisons' Jane Petyt, Waitrose's Victoria Joyce and Bestway's Roopinder Singh Toor are also praised.
{{JOBS & CAREERS }}
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