At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to negotiate product ranges and build strong supplier relationships in tech.
- Company: Currys, the UK's leading tech retailer with a passion for amazing technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, life assurance, staff discounts, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced Computing and Gaming category while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for tech are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 will be right in the centre of a fast-paced team, working hand in hand with the operations and go-to-market teams and building strong relationships with our supplier partners. You will select and negotiate product ranges and pricing, all terms and conditions, and all investments in our business and its activity. You are accountable for ensuring 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 great relationship-building skills, working closely with our brands and vendors and the go-to-market team, and you’ll use your influencing skills to bring the wider business with you as you drive the range extension (dropship) business forward. You’ll be responsible for products within the Computing and Gaming category — a fast-evolving space, so a genuine interest in the category and a willingness to get up to speed on market trends, upcoming brands and competitor activity is essential.
Commercial acumen matters here too — you’ll analyse trading performance and recommend the actions that move the business forward. We’re looking for someone organised and self-motivated, who thrives on ownership, with strong attention to detail to ensure everything is right first time. We’re looking for an entrepreneurial self-starter with a passion for building a range, not just running one, and the tenacity to turn opportunities into results. You’ll also support dropship operations to keep customer satisfaction on track against business priorities and NPS. As Assistant Buyer, you’ll work closely with the wider team to build capable, committed colleagues and a one-business mentality.
Key Responsibilities:- Own supplier relationships and sourcing strategy for your category, bringing customers the best ranges while supporting the wider commercial strategy
- Negotiate product ranges and promotional funding — cost pricing, terms, exclusivity, distribution and stock availability — while protecting margin
- Work with suppliers to understand upcoming technology and market trends, so we can plan ahead of customer demand
- Price the range in line with agreed category CPI targets
- Partner with the returns team to keep supplier returns agreements customer-friendly and cost-efficient
- Use customer and market data to shape ranges and promotional plans that build customers for life
- Own resolution of supplier issues — cost, product, stock and beyond — to protect customer experience and category performance
- Experience within a buying function, with a good working knowledge of technical products
- Strong negotiation skills and the confidence to manage supplier partnerships end to end
- Sound judgement and decision-making to back your recommendations
- Robust numerical and analytical skills — comfortable turning data into action plans that drive sales, profit and cash
- Well organised, with the ability to juggle priorities and manage to deadlines
- Excellent communication skills, confident presenting to senior stakeholders and working cross-functionally
- Strong commercial awareness and a genuine sense of customer needs
- Proficiency in Excel
- Dropship experience and knowledge of high-SKU-volume categories is a bonus, not a requirement
- Experience within the Computing or Gaming market (preferred, not essential)
We know our people are the secret to our success. That's why we're always looking for ways to reward great work. You'll find a host of benefits designed to work for you, including:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlement
- Life Assurance
- Staff discounts and offers
- Hybrid working – with a preferred 1 day a week in the Waterloo office
Join our team and we'll be with you every step of the way, helping you develop the career you want with new opportunities, on-going training and skills for life. Not only can you shape your own future, but you can help take charge of ours too. As the biggest recycler and repairer of tech in the UK, we’re in a position to make a real impact on people and the planet.
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.
Currys Career Opportunities: Assistant Buyer/Vendor Manager - Range Expansion (Computing) employer: Currys
Currys is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at their London Campus where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from performance bonuses, product discounts on the latest technology, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a supportive team culture that values communication and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Currys Career Opportunities: Assistant Buyer/Vendor Manager - Range Expansion (Computing)
✨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 Currys Career Opportunities: Assistant Buyer/Vendor Manager - Range Expansion (Computing)
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!
