Star Buyer Stuart Owens Ambient and chilled juice buyer, Waitrose



Owens started out at Sainsbury's as a trainee buyer in 1990, later progressing to buying in health and beauty and then household products. He moved to US chain Petsmart in 1998 as a buyer before joining the grocery category at Safeway in 2000. He took up his current role at Waitrose in 2003 and is now responsible for buying chilled juice, milk and soya drinks.

Megan Oliver Buyer for dairy drinks and charcuterie, Fortnum & Mason



She joined Fortnum & Mason after university and began her career in the wine department. In May 2006 Oliver moved to the deli department to help set up the Lower Ground Fresh Food Hall. She is now enjoying the responsibility of buying cheese and dairy, takeaway, drinks and charcuterie.

James Hodgson Buyer for ambient juice, carbonates, dilutes and mixers, Waitrose



Hodgson's first seven years at Waitrose were spent on the shop floor as branch manager at its Windsor store. In 2003, he became the first manager at the new Belgravia branch before moving to the buying ambient juices two years ago. He joined Waitrose in 1998 after serving five years in the army.

Nick Durham Grocery buyer, Sainsbury's



Has worked for the company for more than 15 years, starting in retail management training before holding various department manager roles in ambient and chilled in stores in the south east. He moved to HQ to join the team now known as supply chain, starting as supplier controller and rising to grocery team manager before moving to buying.

Jo Pain Non-carbonated soft drinks buyer, Sainsbury's



Pain has been at Sainsbury's for two years, and spent one year as a toy buyer before moving into the non-carbonated soft drinks category. Before that, she was a toy buyer with Mothercare. She also has four years' experience working with Woolworths in soft drinks and confectionery.

Jon Cummings Soft drinks buyer, Asda



Cummings has worked at Asda for five years as marketing manager for crisps, snacks and confectionery and more recently as soft drinks buyer. Last month he became Asda's local sourcing buyer.

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