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- Tasks: As a Wine Buyer, you'll curate an amazing selection of wines and manage supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Majestic, the UK's largest specialist wine retailer with over 200 stores and a passion for quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 20% staff discount, 33 days holiday, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team transforming the wine industry while exploring vineyards worldwide!
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are WSET diploma holders with 5+ years in buying within the alcohol or retail industry.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, blending office and home work for a balanced lifestyle.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Who are we?
Majestic is the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, operating a network of over 200 stores nationwide. Founded in 1980, the company recently passed back into private ownership following the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group and has undergone an ambitious transformation and turnaround programme. The results of which are now being seen, with record market share growth, a new and improved product range, a new website and new stores – with a pipeline for future expansion over the next five years. With no minimum purchase, the Majestic range includes over 1,100 different wines, spirits and beers both online and in-store. Majestic’s key strength is over 1,000 WSET-trained colleagues offering knowledgeable, friendly service across all channels.
Role Purpose
Our Buyers are responsible for delivering an industry leading range of products to both our store and online customers. Through their excellent knowledge of our customer requirements they build both product ranges and services that provide us with a clear differentiation from any competitors and grow our sales, market share and brand strength. You’ll make sure we have the right products at the right time, using your influencing and negotiating skills to build and manage relationships across our business and with suppliers.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
- Develop and document a product strategy for each of your responsible categories.
- Display an entrepreneurial approach to the selection of new products, and manage our exit from delisted products to ensure the range conforms to agreed parameters.
- Ensure that buying decisions are customer-focused, and product selection is undertaken with appropriate consideration for equivalent products in competitors.
- Responsible for cost price, contribution and all other negotiations with suppliers for your products.
- Ensure that any new suppliers conform to our expected standards and practices.
- Manage a programme of price promotional activity across responsible categories – ensuring it meets company policy/procedure.
- Manage gross margin to ensure promotions maximise cash profitability.
- Ensure sales and promotional forecasts are sound and accurate.
- All aspects of product communication – the better you sell your products internally, the better they will sell to customers.
- Take a full part in any team training and development activities that may be held.
- Ensure all buying is conducted according to Majestic’s ethical standards and in a professional way.
- Take ownership of selling the ranges into the business, using established communication channels to engage with other teams & store colleagues
- Deliver the Financial KPI’s set out by the business
- Become a subject matter expert on key internal processes
- Align priorities with the business objectives
- Anticipate future trends by conducting innovation watch activities
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Our ideal candidate will be a Master of Wine (MW) or, WSET diploma holder (or working towards competion WSET Diploma as a minimum).
- Commercially focused/strong negotiating skills
- The Ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience as Buyer/Sourcing working within a Alcohol or Retail industry.
- Experience Buying Wine and/or Beer and/or Spirits
- Able and willing to undertake international travel.
- Highly numerate and able to process complex commercial scenarios quickly.
- Able to influence and develop true ‘partnership’ relationships quickly and effectively.
- Confident presentation and communication skills.
- Empathetic and flexible in style- able to accommodate differing styles and attitudes and adjust approach
What's in it for you:
- A competitive salary & performance related bonus.
- Up to 20% Staff Discount.
- 33 days holiday, including public and bank holidays and we also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- A contributory Company Pension Plan.
- Career development opportunities – we are passionate about nurturing our internal talent, offering career progression supported by our excellent in-house training schemes!
- Fantastic incentives that take you around the world to explore our different vineyards.
- Free parking on site with electric charging points
- Access to Retail Trust which includes: Retail Rewards including Instant savings with discounted e-vouchers, discounted reloadable shopping cards, gift vouchers and gift cards, Discounts of up to 30%, Access to free counselling and support phone line .
- Company maternity, paternity and adoption leave after 26 weeks Long service rewards.
- Company sick pay scheme.
Job Specifics:
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Location: Watford Support Centre
We are proud to offer a new Agile Working Policy for Support Centre colleagues; a blend of office and home working which will include a number of days working at the Majestic Office
We look forward to receiving your application!
Together we are Majestic! #TWAM
Wine Buyer employer: Majestic Wine
Contact Detail:
Majestic Wine Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Wine Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in the wine industry. Understanding current market demands and emerging products will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the wine and retail sectors. Building relationships with suppliers and other buyers can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals or recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and experiences in detail. We value strong negotiating skills, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for wine and spirits. Whether through personal projects, tastings, or relevant certifications, demonstrating your enthusiasm for the industry can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Wine Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Wine Buyer position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in buying, particularly in the alcohol or retail industry.
Highlight Your Expertise: If you hold a Master of Wine (MW) or WSET diploma, be sure to emphasize this in your CV and cover letter. Discuss your knowledge of wine, spirits, and beers, and how it aligns with Majestic's product range.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since strong negotiating skills are crucial for this role, provide specific examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers and manage relationships.
Communicate Your Passion: Majestic values a customer-focused approach. In your application, convey your passion for wine and how you can contribute to enhancing the customer experience through your product selections and promotional strategies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Majestic Wine
✨Show Your Wine Knowledge
As a Wine Buyer, it's crucial to demonstrate your extensive knowledge of wines, spirits, and beers. Be prepared to discuss your favorite varietals, recent trends in the industry, and how you would approach product selection for Majestic.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
Since the role involves negotiating with suppliers, share specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated favorable terms. This will showcase your ability to influence and build partnerships effectively.
✨Understand Customer Needs
Majestic emphasizes customer-focused buying decisions. Be ready to explain how you gather and analyze customer feedback to inform your product strategy. Discuss any tools or methods you use to stay attuned to customer preferences.
✨Prepare for Ethical Standards Discussion
Majestic values ethical standards in buying practices. Familiarize yourself with their policies and be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your previous roles. This shows that you align with their company values.
