Buying Specialist

Buying Specialist

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support buying processes and provide insights to drive commercial success.
  • Company: Join Screwfix, a community-focused retailer committed to excellence and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, hybrid working, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a role that influences key business decisions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in buying or commercial roles with strong analytical and teamwork skills.
  • Other info: Be part of a team that has already saved over £30 million across trading.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Join the Team Driving Commercial Success at Screwfix!

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for negotiation and commercial growth? Do you excel in analyzing data, fostering partnerships, and supporting key business decisions? If so, we have a great opportunity for you!

Role: Buying Specialist – Development/Trade Category

Location: Yeovil, Screwfix Head OfficeTeam: Reporting to the Buying Manager with indirect responsibility for a Senior Commercial AnalystSalary: Competitive + Comprehensive Benefits

Why Screwfix?At Screwfix, we’re more than just a retailer; we’re a community driven by our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation. As a member of our team, you’ll play a key role in helping us secure the best deals and drive value across our product categories. This role is highly visible, giving you the opportunity to shape our buying processes and contribute to our ongoing success.

Why a Job in Commercial?A career in commercial at Screwfix means you’ll be at the heart of our business, influencing decisions that directly impact our success. As a Buying Specialist, you’ll work closely with Trading and Category teams, providing crucial insights that guide negotiations and vendor management. While you won’t be directly negotiating or managing vendor relationships, your expertise will support those who do. You’ll help identify and agree on commercial opportunities, advising on the best approaches, tactics, and strategies to achieve the best outcomes. This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about commercial strategy and eager to make a meaningful impact.

Responsibilities

What You\’ll Do:

  • Support & Advise: You won’t be directly negotiating or managing vendor relationships, but you’ll play a crucial role in supporting those who do. By collating and sharing insights, you’ll help identify and agree on commercial opportunities. Your expertise in negotiation will guide others on the best approaches, tactics, and strategies to achieve the best outcomes.
  • Drive Success: Collaborate with Trading teams to support exceptional vendor agreements, managing a spend of over £750m in branded cost of sales.
  • Enhanced Vendor Trading Terms to reflect value from continued growth with our suppliers
  • Cost price reductions to support margin improvement and Screwfix competitive pricing objectives
  • Sourcing decisions that strategically deliver competitive cost price advantages
  • Strategic Insights: Utilize market data on commodities, currencies, and trends to provide critical information that aids in negotiations and cost validations.
  • Influence & Innovate: Play a crucial role in shaping our buying processes, bringing a curious mindset to explore and challenge existing practices. Your ability to delve into our processes will help uncover new opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
  • Leadership: Share best practices across teams, leading workshops and creating templates that enhance our approach to buying and vendor management.
  • Collaborative Excellence: Build strong relationships across the business, working closely with Category Managers, Finance Partners, and Commercial Operations to achieve shared goals.
  • Innovation & Impact: The team you’ll join has already identified and enabled over £30 million of cost benefits across our trading teams.
  • Qualifications

    What We’re Looking For:

    • Experience: Ideally, you bring experience in buying or a commercial role, with a strong understanding of negotiation strategies and planning.
    • Analytical Mindset: You excel at critical thinking, analyzing data, and turning insights into action. Your curiosity drives you to explore the deeper workings of our buying processes.
    • Team Collaboration: You work well with others, able to influence, challenge, and support across all levels.
    • Tech Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to create impactful presentations and reports.
    • Organized: You have strong planning and prioritization skills, with a commitment to excellence in everything you do.

    Why Work at Screwfix?At Screwfix, we believe in rewarding our team members for their contributions. When you join us, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

    • 33 days\’ holiday – Ensuring you have time to relax and recharge.
    • Hybrid working – A flexible approach with three days in the office and two days working from home.
    • Award-winning pension scheme – Benefit from up to 14% Kingfisher contribution.
    • Discretionary bonus scheme – Earn up to 20% based on your performance.
    • 20% discount – Enjoy savings on products at Screwfix and B&Q.
    • Discounted healthcare and life cover – Providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
    • Enhanced family leave – Support during important life moments.
    • Loyalty recognition & company share save scheme – Celebrate your milestones and invest in our future.
    • In-house training and development – Opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career.

    Ready to Join Us?If you’re excited about driving commercial success, making a real difference, and exploring new ways to enhance our buying processes, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and become a valued part of the Screwfix community.

    We believe in equity for all. Please let us know at careers@screwfix.com if you need any additional support or adjustments when it comes to your application.

    NO AGENCIES PLEASE

    #LI-Hybrid

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    Buying Specialist employer: Screwfix Direct Ltd.

    At Screwfix, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to drive commercial success. As a Buying Specialist in Yeovil, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth, all while being part of a community that values your contributions and encourages you to make a meaningful impact.
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    Contact Detail:

    Screwfix Direct Ltd. Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Buying Specialist

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with Screwfix's product categories and current market trends. Understanding their offerings will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their buying processes during interviews.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Network with professionals in the commercial sector, especially those with experience in buying roles. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data analysis to drive decision-making in previous roles. Highlighting your analytical mindset will demonstrate your fit for the Buying Specialist role.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Showcase your collaboration skills by preparing examples of successful teamwork. Since this role involves working closely with various teams, illustrating your ability to influence and support others will be key.

    We think you need these skills to ace Buying Specialist

    Negotiation Strategies
    Data Analysis
    Critical Thinking
    Market Research
    Vendor Management Support
    Collaboration Skills
    Microsoft Excel Proficiency
    Microsoft PowerPoint Proficiency
    Planning and Prioritisation
    Commercial Acumen
    Curiosity and Innovation
    Relationship Building
    Presentation Skills
    Cost Validation Techniques

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying or commercial roles. Emphasise your analytical skills and any specific negotiation strategies you've employed in past positions.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for commercial growth and how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Buying Specialist role. Mention your ability to analyse data and support vendor management.

    Showcase Your Analytical Mindset: Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your critical thinking and data analysis skills. Highlight any instances where your insights led to successful outcomes in previous roles.

    Highlight Team Collaboration: Discuss your experience working collaboratively with teams, especially in a commercial context. Mention how you’ve influenced decisions and supported colleagues in achieving shared goals.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Screwfix Direct Ltd.

    ✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

    As a Buying Specialist, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse data effectively. Prepare examples of how you've used data to influence decisions or improve processes in previous roles.

    ✨Understand Negotiation Strategies

    Even though you won't be directly negotiating, having a solid grasp of negotiation strategies is crucial. Brush up on key tactics and be ready to discuss how you would advise others in negotiations.

    ✨Highlight Team Collaboration Experience

    This role requires strong collaboration with various teams. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've successfully worked with others to achieve common goals, especially in a commercial context.

    ✨Prepare for Technical Questions

    Since proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is essential, expect questions that assess your technical skills. Consider preparing a few examples of reports or presentations you've created that had a significant impact.

    Buying Specialist
    Screwfix Direct Ltd.
    S
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