Walker to Head all Fresh Buying for Waitrose

Paul Walker is to become responsible for all fresh buying at Waitrose.

Paul, who has been with Waitrose for 30 years, starts the role on Monday 9 October.  The position reports to Rupert Thomas, the supermarket’s Commercial Director.  

Retaining his current job title of ‘Director, Buying, Fresh’, Paul will now head buying for meat, poultry, fish, frozen food and dairy, and take on responsibility for agricultural strategy – areas previously covered by Heather Jenkins, who is to retire from Waitrose.

These will be in addition to his existing areas of fruit, vegetables and horticultural produce, and buying for meal solutions, bakery, and food to go.

“I am excited to take on this role and, backed by a fantastic team here at Waitrose, looking forward to working with our suppliers, farmers and others”, said Paul.

Heather Jenkins leaves Waitrose after 37 years with the business.  Rupert Thomas said: “Heather has made an enormous contribution to Waitrose, building fantastic relationships with the farming community and helping us to lead the grocery sector in this area.  In Paul we’ve appointed exactly the right person to develop our agricultural strategy and take it forward.”

Article source: Waitrose