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- Tasks: Manage the Leisure Department, overseeing categories like Cycle and Sports Equipment.
- Company: Join The Very Group, dedicated to helping families enjoy life with flexible payment options.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a £1,000 benefits allowance, 30 days holiday, and up to 25% discount.
- Why this job: Great opportunity for growth, leadership experience, and working with exciting brands in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Ideal for established Junior Buyers or Senior Assistant Buyers with commercial awareness.
- Other info: 12-month fixed term contract with a two-stage interview process.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Internal use only – Grade F
About us
We areThe Very Groupand we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options onVery.co.ukto help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.
About the team
The Junior Buyer will hold a level of responsibility for the Leisure Department covering Cycle, Sports Equipment, Travel, Camping and Fitness categories reporting into the Buyer Manager. They will own and be accountable for the management of the category\’s critical path, brands and trading calendar.
About the role
Please note that this role is a 12-month fixed term contract
This Junior Buyer role takes on a great deal of responsibility, managing two Assistant Buyers. You will oversee category critical path and ensuring key trading milestones are adhered to. Working closely with the Buying Manager you will help the development of the department strategy and how it supports the wider retail strategy. The Leisure team has gone from strength to strength due to onboarding some new exciting brands and having great relationships we have with existing brands.
Whilst development of the team is fundamental, so is your own development. You will deputise for the Buying Manager in leadership meetings so it’s an ideal opportunity for an established Junior Buyer/Senior Assistant Buyer.
More responsibilities include
- Maintaining relationships with brands in line with our values
- Able to deputise for the Buying Manager in key meetings
- Liaison with senior management team, clearly articulating category performance
- Able to delegate or take lead and make decisions under pressure
- Face to face brand meetings, terms negotiations and showroom visits
- Commercial awareness: Awareness of market trends, competitor activity and price positioning
- Look to onboard new brands, developing relationships
- Formulating Range Frameworks/ Brand Plans alongside merchandising functions
- Wider exposure outside of the fashion team inputting into cross functional workstreams
Some of our benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- £1,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
How to apply
Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you may be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS and CRB check.
What happens next?
Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review, and then be in touch to move to the interview process. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person and remotely.
You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:
First Stage – a 20 minute initial call with the hiring team to find out more about you and for you to learn about life at TVG.
Second Stage – A 1 hour final stage, task based interview with the Hiring Team.
As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
If you\’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.
About us
We’re The Very Group – home to and a 3,250-strong team of super talented people, all passionate about making good things easily accessible to more people, so they can live life well. We combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options that help people say yes when it matters most.
Equal opportunities
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract) employer: Very Group
Contact Detail:
Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the leisure market, especially in cycling, sports equipment, and fitness. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the buying and retail sectors, particularly those who have experience in leisure products. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing teams or projects, as this role involves overseeing Assistant Buyers. Highlight any leadership experiences you've had, even if they were informal, to showcase your capability.
✨Tip Number 4
Research The Very Group's values and recent initiatives. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Junior Buyer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in managing categories, working with brands, and any leadership roles you've held.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in buying or retail management, particularly in leisure-related categories like sports equipment or travel. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to manage relationships with brands.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to showcase skills that are crucial for this role, such as decision-making under pressure, negotiation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with teams. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews: Since the interview process includes a task-based final stage, prepare by researching common buying scenarios and practice articulating your thought process. Be ready to discuss market trends and how you would approach onboarding new brands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Very Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Junior Buyer in the Leisure Department. Familiarise yourself with the categories you'll be managing, such as Cycle, Sports Equipment, and Fitness. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Demonstrate your understanding of market trends and competitor activity. Be prepared to discuss how these factors influence buying decisions and how you can contribute to the department's strategy. This shows that you're not just focused on the role but also on the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Leadership Scenarios
Since you'll be deputising for the Buying Manager, think about situations where you've had to lead or make decisions under pressure. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage a team effectively, as this will be crucial in your role.
✨Engage with Brand Relationships
The role involves maintaining relationships with brands, so be ready to discuss your experience in building and nurturing professional relationships. Think of specific examples where you've successfully negotiated terms or collaborated with partners, as this will demonstrate your fit for the position.
