At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in creating an inspiring product range and drive sales through vendor partnerships.
- Company: Join a leading home improvement retailer with a focus on customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes the future of home improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in sourcing, vendor management, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £45,000. Hybrid working – 3 days per week in the office. Location: Southampton, Store Support Office.
We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they’ll love. Join us as an Assistant Buyer and you’ll be a big part of this.
Overview
Work with the Buyer 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, delivering vendor contributions, rebate, and retail price index targets through strong vendor partnerships. Be responsible for the performance of specific subcategories and the relevant vendor relationships.
What’s the job?
- Work alongside the Buyer to develop and implement a category proposition that meets our customer needs, identifying opportunities and mitigating risk, whilst delivering against sales, margin, and market share targets.
- Support the sourcing and development of a compelling product range, through developing relationships with new and existing vendors, which reflect the category strategy.
- Work alongside the Offer & Sourcing (O&S) team to shape and develop an own label proposition that meets the needs of our customers and market.
- Support 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.
- With the Buyer, support end to end vendor strategy management including contract and cost price negotiation, delivery of vendor contributions and annual performance review.
- Gather insights to support the creation of the category pricing hierarchy in line with framework principles, supporting the Buying Assistant with inputs into the Minderest comparison tool.
- With the category Merchandising team, support the product lifecycle including range performance, identifying and optimising trading opportunities and the delivery of promotions and range reviews.
- With the Visual Merchandising and Digital teams, support the creation and continuous improvement of customer journeys within our physical stores and online.
- With the Buying Assistant, co‑ordinate and execute the sampling process for range development, including QA and Lab set up requirements.
- Work collaboratively with vendors, Marketing and Digital teams to support the acquisition and delivery of marketing assets for range and trading, including leading on brochures for the Category where required.
- With the Buying Assistant, ensure all products and vendors are set up in line with agreed processes, with accurate complete data.
- Use support tools such as Yammer to share category information and respond to queries.
- Conduct regular store (digital & physical), competitor and vendor visits, to increase understanding of the market and support the creation of the trading plan and inform decisions.
- Manage and influence stakeholders across a range of levels, internally and externally, to support the delivery of KPIs.
- Undertake other duties from time to time as may be reasonably required.
What we need
- Previous experience of sourcing and buying product ranges.
- Ability to understand customer insights and market trends.
- Experience in vendor management and contract negotiation.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Ability to build relationships at all levels.
- Attention to detail to assist with issue resolution and problem solving.
- Experience of managing projects and holding stakeholders to account.
- Commercial and financial awareness.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Proactive.
- Intermediate Microsoft Office skills, in particular Excel and PowerPoint.
What’s in it for me?
As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes:
- Award‑winning pension scheme
- ShareSave options
- 6.6 weeks holiday
- Payroll giving
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Shopping discounts
- Colleague wellbeing benefits
- …and much more.
We want to ensure that all employees, future employees, and applicants to all Kingfisher companies are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
If you require any additional support or adjustments to help you make an application, please contact us at: ssorecruitment@b-and-q.co.uk recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk
Assistant Buyer - Hardware in Eastleigh employer: B&q
At our Southampton Store Support Office, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers employees to thrive. As an Assistant Buyer, you'll enjoy a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including an award-winning pension scheme and generous holiday allowance, all while contributing to a mission that helps millions of customers create their ideal homes. With opportunities for professional growth and development, this role offers a meaningful career path in a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Hardware in Eastleigh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 skills can help them achieve their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Assistant Buyer role. Highlight your experience in sourcing and vendor management, and don’t forget to mention your knack for understanding customer insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Hardware in Eastleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your previous sourcing and buying experience, and don’t forget to showcase your vendor management skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission to help customers create a home they’ll love.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key for this role, make sure to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders in your application. We want to see how you can connect with others!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&q
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, dive deep into the product ranges relevant to the Assistant Buyer role. Familiarise yourself with current trends in hardware and understand what makes a compelling product range. This will show your passion and preparedness.
✨Master Vendor Relationships
Be ready to discuss your experience with vendor management and contract negotiation. Think of specific examples where you successfully built relationships or resolved issues. This will demonstrate your ability to handle vendor partnerships effectively.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've used data to inform buying decisions in the past. Highlight your experience with tools like Excel and any insights you've gathered from market trends. This will illustrate your commercial awareness and attention to detail.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about times when you've had to influence stakeholders or manage projects. Be ready to share these experiences, as strong communication and relationship-building skills are key for this role. Show that you can navigate different levels within an organisation.
