At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Bathrooms product category, driving innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join a leading retail company focused on home improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, award-winning pension, 6.6 weeks holiday, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and cross-functional collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the home improvement industry while enjoying hybrid working.
- Qualifications: Proven buying experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 55000 € per year.
Permanent Salary £48-55K + Pension + PHC + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working (3 days per week in the office) 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 a Buyer and you’ll be a big part of this.
OverviewBuyer – Bathrooms Lead a product category, driving innovation and delivering customer satisfaction.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities- Develop and deliver category strategy, aligned to department strategy.
- Lead vendor negotiations and performance review.
- Source and select products (branded and own label).
- Deliver products and vendor contributions to deliver the trading plan.
- Act as the business expert on the product category, providing insights and recommendations across functions.
- Direct and influence Kingfisher initiatives relevant to the category, ensuring alignment with group strategy.
- Collaborate closely with marketing to align category plans with promotional and customer engagement strategies.
- Support the delivery of the sustainability plan through product selection and supplier engagement.
- Manage pricing architecture / price index.
- Take actions to deliver trading performance in collaboration with merchandising.
- Collaborate with all channels to execute customer‑facing proposition.
- Line management as required (could be shared resource).
- Deliver key milestones in line with agreed CPA.
- Proven buying experience in retail.
- Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
- Ability to interpret customer and market insights.
- Experience managing cross‑functional projects.
- Willing to travel to visit suppliers, trade fairs, stores and competitors.
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.
Buyer - Bathrooms in Hampshire employer: B&q
At Kingfisher, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Southampton, our Store Support Office provides a supportive environment with hybrid working options, generous holiday allowances, and a comprehensive benefits package, including an award-winning pension scheme and employee wellbeing initiatives. Join us as a Buyer in the Bathrooms category, where you'll have the opportunity to lead product strategies and make a meaningful impact on our customers' home improvement journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Bathrooms in Hampshire
✨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 category strategies and be ready to discuss how your buying experience can drive innovation and customer satisfaction. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build confidence in discussing pricing and vendor performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 and contributing to our mission of helping customers create homes they love.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Bathrooms in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role, highlighting your relevant buying experience and skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the Bathrooms category and how you can drive innovation. We love seeing personality, so let your enthusiasm for the role come through.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since strong negotiation skills are key for this role, make sure to include examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. We want to know how you’ve made an impact in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at B&q
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the bathroom products market. Understand current trends, customer preferences, and key competitors. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to lead the product category.
✨Master Negotiation Scenarios
Prepare for potential negotiation scenarios you might face in the role. Think about how you would approach vendor discussions or pricing strategies. Practising these conversations can give you the confidence to showcase your strong negotiation skills during the interview.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss examples of how you've successfully managed cross-functional projects in the past. Highlight your ability to work with marketing, merchandising, and other teams to deliver results. This will illustrate your collaborative spirit and alignment with the company's goals.
✨Align with Sustainability Goals
Research the company's sustainability initiatives and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to them through product selection and supplier engagement. Showing that you share their values will make you a more attractive candidate.