Buying Manager

About the role:

You will have the opportunity work with a mixed portfolio of suppliers from some of the biggest FMCG global suppliers, smaller entrepreneurial brands, as well as with our own brand team. Developing joint business plans and building strong relationships across the supplier base will be essential for you to deliver your KPI’s.

Alongside this you will be responsible for leading and developing a team whilst developing and delivering operational plans to hit performance targets, managing your P&L for the category and pulling on levers such as product, merchandising, pricing and promotions.

In addition you will lead the delivery of our 3 year strategic initiatives, enabling and driving growth for our business with key focusses on value, NPD and growing market share.

Your Responsibilities:

• Have a passion for the industry, working with suppliers, developing brands and products and the ability to lead and inspire a team through an extremely competitive trading market.

• Providing direction on annual plan and people management /development in supporting the team in achieving business objectives.

• Accountable for the development and delivery of the product area plans through analysis of market trends, customers, competitors and internal financial performance to feed into the category decisions

• Accountable for process compliance and accuracy of process across key commercial processes (e.g. Finance, Merchandising, Supply and Marketing)

• Support team negotiations with suppliers and agree JBPs to secure the best deals and outcomes for sustainable business growth

• Strong people leadership skills, management of 1 assistant buyer and 1 buying assistant

• Responsible for the delivery of the category strategy and performance each month.

• Working closely and negotiating with suppliers on new products and annual plans

• Knowledge and ability to secure and launch new content in store

• Cross functional working with product development and technical teams, merchandising, supply chain, finance, marketing and store teams

Our Ideal Candidate:

Everything that our buyers do has a direct impact on what our customers experience in store and online. With that in mind the following skills are critical:

• Pursue opportunities with passion with a right first time mentality.

• Passion for product development.

• Accurate budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.

• Analytical thinker and strong numeracy skills.

• Good impact and influencing skills.

• Broad commercial acumen with entrepreneurial spirit.

• Ability to build and own effective relationships, challenging where appropriate in order to deliver results.

• Ability to work cross functionally and with suppliers to deliver results.

• Holds self and others to account.

• Is agile and able to reactive to an ever changing market.

• Broad negotiating skills.

• Previous experience at buying manager level or equivalent.