Salary: £55,600.00 - 84,100.00 per annum dependant on skill and experience
Contract type: This is a fixed term opportunity until April 2027
Hours and location of the role:
35 hours per week
Your home location will be our London head office
This is a hybrid working role. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days will vary across teams
Key responsibilities:
You will work at pace and agility within a collaborative environment with your Buying Manager, Head of Buying, Trade Planning, Trading & Product Operations team, Design and Product Technology. Externally you will hold a strong relationship with your suppliers, brands and external teams
You will be accountable for the commercial success of a product range as defined and agreed with your Buying Manager and the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in-season trading
You will ensure you have up to date expert market knowledge for the category and can predict future market dynamics
You are accountable for building and maintaining strong brand relationships ensuring that they adhere to the required standards and agreed terms
You will be accountable for product development, range planning, product assortments, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins. These will be in line with category and customer strategy
In collaboration with your merchandising colleagues, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers
Deputise for your Buying Manager when appropriate
Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture, providing leadership and guidance to the buying team. Support the professional development and growth of team members, ensuring a skilled and motivated workforce capable of achieving departmental objectives
Lead success-driven, cross-department working through effective stakeholder relationships
Responsible for coaching and developing your/team of Buying Assistant/s
Support the Buying Manager L5 in building a product strategy
Develop and buy market leading own brand ranges, managing product lifecycle from launch to exit of product ranges
Collaborate with Merchandiser to prepare and share Standardised Range Plan, in line with critical path, to hand over to the Central Operations Team. Alongside Merchandiser, sign off product ranges and branch grading with Buying Manager and Head of Buying when required, using reporting from Product Operations
Propose Balance To Achieve across commercial KPIs for the assortment each month in collaboration with the Merchandiser
Work with and comply with all critical path requirements as necessary
Essential skills and/or experience you'll need:
Experienced Own Brand buyer
End to end product development experience
Good negotiation skills and experience in leading strategic commercial negotiations with suppliers and vendors to secure favourable terms and agreements, maximising value and profitability for the category
In-depth knowledge and expertise within the designated category, including an understanding of product trends, customer preferences, and industry dynamics. Direct experience in range planning, product assortment development within the category is highly desirable
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas, negotiate agreements, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Desirable skills and/or experience you may have:
Category specific knowledge and/or experience