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- Tasks: Lead product buying, spot trends, and collaborate with suppliers to inspire creativity.
- Company: Join The Works, a top-rated company inspiring reading and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, 25% discount, and access to exclusive perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping product ranges that inspire learning and play.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and a passion for creativity and teamwork.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal growth and flexible working.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Location Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham.
Why The Works? We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. The Works literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching. This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.
As one of our dynamic Buyers, you’ll take charge of a product group, owning the entire buying cycle from start to finish. Playing a key role in our vibrant Commercial team, driving strategy, spotting new product trends and building fantastic ranges. You’ll collaborate with suppliers, ensure ethical compliance and react swiftly to sales trends to keep us ahead. As one of our experienced Buying professionals, you will have a proven track record of success, ideally in a similar sector or category with a natural desire to make impactful decisions and drive value!
Your Mission
- Strategy: Decide what should be in our range and why, identifying the best sources and driving a competitive edge in the market.
- NPD Briefing: Identify new product trends and work with creative teams to deliver unique products that keep us ahead of the competition.
- Selection: Build excellent product ranges, balancing private label and branded products, and manage product exits with a clear change plan.
- Critical Path Management: Review development trackers and flag any risks to ensure smooth progress.
- Trade: Articulate performance narratives, react to sales trends, and take action to maximise sales and minimise risk, including promotional activities and seasonal space management.
- Trackers and Analysis: Keep all trackers up to date and suggest actions based on findings.
- Supplier and QA collaboration: Ensure product specifications are met with ethical compliance.
- Negotiation: Negotiate trading terms and funding support with suppliers.
- Internal Communications: Collate and produce internal communications, presentations and sign-off packs.
- Coaching and Development: Coach and develop junior team members, embodying what good looks like as a Buyer.
- Influencing Skills: Understand your impact on others and develop influencing skills accordingly.
- Leadership: Lead your product area with all internal stakeholders, guiding them through the full buying process and ensuring they have the information they need at each stage.
- Board Presentations: Present to Board members for their sign-off, consistently completing all required sign-off packs.
- Additional Responsibilities: Set budgets, engage in strategic sourcing, provide challenging feedback when necessary, and conduct store and web reviews, including working with a 'buddy' AM to understand operational issues.
Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart
- Leadership skills: To manage a Junior Buyer / Buying Assistant.
- Product Development: Sourcing experience across own label and brands/licenses.
- Attention to Detail: Forensic attention to detail to help us get things right the first time; passionate and able to analyse data.
- Highly organised, decision maker.
- Colleague-Focused Approach: Prioritise making things easier for our colleagues, clearly explaining the why, how, what, and when.
- Influence and Challenge: Influence and constructively challenge when necessary to ensure we do the right thing.
- Initiative and Passionate: Use your initiative and have the energy and passion to make things happen.
- Problem solving and innovative thinking.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration as the best way to achieve results.
- Networking and Relationships: Understand the importance of networking and building strong relationships and stakeholder management.
- Negotiation Skills: Hone and flex style of approach.
- Self-Starter: Committed to driving your own development, emotionally resilient and calm under pressure.
- Microsoft Skills: Intermediate.
Our PERKS really are 'The Works'
- 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
- MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more.
- Family Friendly Leave - Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Holiday - 33 days including bank holidays.
- Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days.
- Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
- Stream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them - for when 'life' happens!
- Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
- 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
- Healthcare Cash Plan - To support your everyday healthcare costs.
- And loads more! - Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.
Our Purpose To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.
Our Values We are Crafty | Smart with what we’ve got. We are Caring | Heart in every action. We are Can-do | Energy that gets it done. We Listen. We Care.
Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have the opportunity to help give us that direction.
Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments
At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term). We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we’ll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!
Buyer - 12 Month FTC in Enniskillen employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - 12 Month FTC in Enniskillen
✨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 Works and understanding our mission. Show us how your passion for creativity and learning aligns with our values. Bring examples of how you've made impactful decisions in your previous roles!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate trading terms. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach 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, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of The Works family.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - 12 Month FTC in Enniskillen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for buying and creativity shine through! We want to see how you can inspire others and make a real impact in our team.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in buying or product development. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission of inspiring reading, learning, and creativity!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with The Works.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, dive deep into The Works' product range. Familiarise yourself with their bestsellers and any recent trends in the market. This will not only show your passion for the role but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their buying strategy.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Buyer, you'll need to analyse data and sales trends. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully used data to make impactful decisions. Be ready to discuss how you would approach tracking and analysing product performance at The Works.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Prowess
Negotiation is key in this role. Think of specific instances where you've negotiated terms with suppliers or stakeholders. Highlight your approach and the outcomes, as this will illustrate your ability to drive value and maintain strong relationships.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
The Works values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Share examples of how you've influenced team decisions or supported colleagues, showcasing your ability to work effectively within a dynamic commercial team.