Former category manager for M&S and Sainsbury’s Nicola Waller has joined Waitrose as the head of buying for fresh produce.
Waller, who joins after a three-year stint as director of food at upmarket department store Selfridges, previously spent just under 11 years as a category manager at M&S, on categories including fruit, salad and vegetables, delicatessen and fish.
Prior to that she worked as a consultant to Sainsbury’s as the head of fresh food in Cairo, following eight years working as a buyer across several fresh categories at both Safeway and Sainsbury’s.
The news comes as Waitrose recently made one of its most significant moves in produce by announcing a new direct sourcing deal with Fresca-owned firm Primafruit.
Earlier this year, the premium retailer also announced major expansion plans that will create 2,000 jobs through new stores and extensions.
