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- Tasks: Lead a buying team to create an inspiring product range and drive sales.
- Company: Join B&Q, a leading retailer with a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and 6.6 weeks holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sourcing exciting products and shaping customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for market trends.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that encourages growth and career exploration.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Location: B&Q Chandler’s Ford, England, United Kingdom
Salary & Benefits: Up to £65,000 + Bonus + Pension + BUPA + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working
Position: Buying Manager (Decor and Surface) – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Work Location: Southampton, Store Support Office
Overview: Lead a category buying team and work in partnership with the Merchandiser to create and deliver an inspirational product range that meets the needs of our customers. Driving sales, margin (£GM & GM%) and market share across all channels whilst delivering vendor contributions, rebate and retail price index targets through strong vendor partnerships and negotiations. You’ll challenge the status quo, searching for exciting new partners and finding new ways of working with a view to delivering a better proposition for our customers.
- Work alongside the Merchandiser to develop a category proposition that meets our customer needs, identifies opportunities, and mitigates risks, whilst delivering against sales, margin and market share targets
- Become a subject matter expert on all things related to your category, using your knowledge and insights, both internal and external, to understand customer needs, predict future trends and gain a broad understanding of competitors and external factors, to help identify opportunities or future needs to drive profitable sales growth
- Source, develop and select a compelling product range, encompassing branded and own label products, which reflect the category strategy, maximising our vendor base and meeting the needs of our customers across all channels, incorporating current trends and reflecting our brand, including achieving required sustainability and quality standards
- Work alongside the Offer & Sourcing (O&S) team to shape and develop an own label proposition, to excite our customer base and which is appropriate for our market and customer
- Work collaboratively alongside the Digital and Trade teams to develop channel propositions that meet the needs of our customers
- Create a pricing architecture that ensures B&Q remains competitive within the market and in tandem with ranging decisions, delivers our vision of supporting all customers with access to DIY/Trade products
- End to end vendor strategy management including contract and cost price negotiation, delivery of vendor contributions and annual performance review, working in conjunction with the Central Buying team
- Manage and develop vendor relationships, including onboarding and exiting vendors, being accountable for their adherence to B&Q processes and policies e.g. technical and ethical audits, minimum standards; striving for continuous performance; identifying opportunities for growth including new services/products/concepts
- Manage the buying process, with an awareness of impact on cross functional teams, allowing for flexibility, adhering to a critical path, to ensure stock is ordered and delivered on time
- Working with the Merchandiser, Channel Leads and Trading team, co‑create and deliver category/promotional trading plans, working with vendors to seek out opportunities
- With the Merchandiser, manage the product lifecycle including range performance, identifying, and optimising trading opportunities and the delivery of promotions and range reviews
- Develop collaborative marketing plans, with both vendors and internal marketing functions, to support trading, including brochures
- With the Buying Assistant, ensure all products and vendors are set up in line with agreed processes, whilst ensuring data provided is both accurate and complete
- Conduct regular store (digital & physical), competitor, vendor and trade show visits to increase awareness and understand trends, informing ranging and trading plans
- Manage and influence stakeholders across a range of levels, internally and externally, to support the delivery of KPIs
- Lead, empower and motivate your team to deliver category strategy, driving high performance and developing future talent whilst role‑modeling the B&Q values
- Undertake other duties from time to time as may be reasonably required
Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience of sourcing, buying and trading product ranges across multiple sales channels
- Ability to understand customer insights and market trends
- Commercially focused with the ability to understand financial insights and translate into business deliverables
- Ability to drive business performance using insights and knowledge to build compelling product ranges and agile trading plans
- High level negotiation and influencing skills
- Experience in vendor management and contract negotiation
- Strong communicator
- Ability to build relationships at all levels
- Microsoft Office skills, in particular Excel and PowerPoint
Benefits: As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an award‑winning pension scheme, bonus, car or car allowance, ShareSave options, 6.6 weeks holiday, payroll giving, an Employee Assistance Programme, shopping discounts, colleague wellbeing benefits and lots more! As part of a great team, you’ll be supported to grow and encouraged to explore new career directions within the business and the wider group. And, because you’ll be inspiring great things for our customers and the whole business, you’ll do work worth caring about.
Seniority level
- Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
- Full‑time
Job function
- Purchasing and Supply Chain
Industries
- Retail
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Buying Manager - Décor employer: B&Q
Contact Detail:
B&Q Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager - Décor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buying Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager - Décor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buying Manager role. Highlight your experience in sourcing, buying, and trading product ranges, and don’t forget to showcase your negotiation skills. We want to see how you can drive business performance!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your understanding of customer insights and market trends, and how you can contribute to our category strategy at B&Q.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive sales and manage vendor relationships. We love numbers, so if you’ve improved margins or market share, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&Q
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the décor and surface category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key competitors, and customer preferences. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can drive sales and market share effectively.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful vendor negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you managed relationships and achieved favourable outcomes. This is crucial for a Buying Manager role, so be ready to discuss your strategies and the impact they had on previous businesses.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of instances where you've worked with different teams, like merchandising or marketing, to achieve a common goal. Be prepared to discuss how you can collaborate with B&Q's Digital and Trade teams to create compelling channel propositions that resonate with customers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. For example, how would you handle a sudden change in market trends? Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and show your adaptability in a fast-paced retail environment.
