At a Glance
- Tasks: Support launching new tech products and negotiate with suppliers to drive sales.
- Company: Join Currys, the UK's leading tech retailer with a vibrant team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, life assurance, staff discounts, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a focus on inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that shapes the future of technology.
- Qualifications: 1-2 years in buying, strong communication, and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Currys London Campus at Waterloo Permanent; Full Time; Grade 3
At Currys we’re united by one passion: to help everyone enjoy amazing technology. As the UK’s best-known retailer of tech, we’re proud of the service our customers receive – and it’s all down to our team of 25,000 caring and committed colleagues. Working as one team, we learn and grow together, celebrating the big and small moments that make every day amazing.
Positioned within the commercial team, you’ll be central to a dynamic and fast-moving group as a member of our New Categories squad. Here, you will support launching new technologies and products. You will be responsible for finding appropriate suppliers, selecting and agreeing product ranges, confirming terms and investment into our business. You are accountable for negotiating cost pricing and promotions that allow us to remain competitive for customers while maximising margin and sales and securing adequate differentiation against competitors.
You will need to have great relationship building skills, working closely with our brands, suppliers, go-to-market and operations teams using your influencing skills to secure support to drive the category forward. Commercial acumen is a must as you will be required to support our analysis of trading performance, providing recommendations of actions to drive our business.
Our ideal candidate will be organised with the ability to prioritise their workload whilst maintaining strong attention to detail to ensure everything is right first time. The role sits within the area of the business that launches product areas that are new to Currys, so we are looking for an entrepreneurial self-starter with a passion for new technology and a tenacity to overcome obstacles.
Key Responsibilities:- Support the Buyer/Senior Buyer with supplier negotiations in line with the category strategy
- Responsible for sourcing and building own ranges, negotiating cost pricing and additional terms
- Agreeing promotional funding support to drive sales while maintaining margin in line with financial objectives
- Monitoring the competition so we can set competitive prices
- Pricing the product range in line with agreed category CPI targets
- Analysing trading performance and recommending actions to drive our business
- 1-2 years' experience of being part of a buying function (as an Assistant Buyer or Buying Administrator) and a great working knowledge of technical products
- Excellent communication with great relationship building skills. Capable of working cross functionally to achieve desired results
- To be diligent, organised, with great multitasking abilities
- Robust analytical skills to review data and provide recommendations/actions plans to drive sales, profit and cash
- Strong commercial awareness and a sense of customer needs
- Proficiency in Excel
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlement
- Life Assurance
- Staff discounts and offers
- Hybrid Working (minimum 1 day a week in the Waterloo office)
Every voice has a space at our table and we're committed to making inclusion and diversity part of everything we do, including how we strengthen our workforce. We want to make sure you have a fair opportunity to show us your talents during our application process, so if you need any additional assistance with your application please email careers@currys.co.uk and we'll do our best to help.
Assistant Buyer - New Categories employer: Currys
At Currys, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. Located at our London Campus in Waterloo, employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth, alongside competitive perks such as 25 days of annual leave, life assurance, and staff discounts. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering amazing technology experiences while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - New Categories
✨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 Currys, 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 Currys!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - New Categories
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 Currys, 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 Currys 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 Currys that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Currys
✨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!
