At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy for a key product category and drive sales growth.
- Company: Join B&M, a dynamic retail leader with a focus on value-driven customer offers.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free parking, and a range of additional perks.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile leadership role within a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in retail buying and strong team leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced
Senior Buying Manager to lead the commercial strategy for a key product category within B&M.
This is a newly created high-profile leadership role responsible for delivering a profitable, market-leading and value-driven customer offer.
You'll own category performance end-to-end, leading a team of buyers and commercial colleagues while working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, Marketing and Retail Operations to drive sales, margin and growth.
In this role you will be responsible for
- Developing and delivering the long-term category strategy, ensuring alignment with B&M's commercial objectives and customer proposition.
- Owning full category P&L performance, including sales, margin, stock, markdown, cash generation and overall profitability.
- Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing buying team, creating a fast-paced and accountable trading culture.
- Identifying market trends, competitor activity and commercial opportunities to drive category growth and differentiation.
- Delivering a compelling customer offer through strong pricing, availability, innovation, seasonal relevance and value.
- Building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships, negotiating at senior level to maximise commercial performance.
- Collaborating with key business functions to ensure category plans are operationally deliverable across the store estate.
- Leading trade reviews, analysing performance data and reacting quickly to commercial risks and opportunities.
- Driving continuous improvement across range productivity, stock efficiency and category profitability.
- Supporting talent development, succession planning and the ongoing growth of the wider commercial function.
The skills & experience you'll bring
- Significant senior-level experience within retail buying, category management or a similar commercial leadership role.
- Proven experience managing and developing high-performing teams within a fast-paced retail environment.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including ownership of category P&L performance.
- Demonstrable success developing and executing category strategies that drive sales and profit growth.
- Excellent negotiation, supplier management and stakeholder influencing skills.
- Strong analytical ability with a data-driven approach to decision making.
- Customer-focused with a solid understanding of value-led retailing.
- Experience within discount retail, grocery, FMCG or high-volume retail environments would be advantageous.
- Knowledge of seasonal categories, private label development or international sourcing would be beneficial.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with a hands-on, delivery-focused approach.
Why B&M?
We also offer you a range of great benefits including discount in our stores, free parking for all colleagues in our Support Centre, colleague portal offering additional discount for retailers, hospitality & much more!
Check out our full benefits here – https://careers. bmstores. co. uk/our-bm-benefits/
B&M Retail are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all colleagues.
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Senior Buying Manager in Liverpool employer: B&M Retail
B&M is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Refit Project Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment with extensive training opportunities, competitive benefits including store discounts, and the chance to make a tangible impact on our store portfolio across the South of the UK. With a commitment to inclusivity and diversity, B&M fosters a collaborative atmosphere where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buying Manager in Liverpool
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like B&M Retail, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like B&M Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buying Manager in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at B&M Retail, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at B&M Retail and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show B&M Retail that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&M Retail
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
