At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and negotiate product ranges to drive sales and margin.
- Company: Join Currys, a leading tech retailer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, life assurance, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Currys London Campus, Waterloo. Fixed Term Contract – 12 Months. Full Time. Grade 3.
Position within the commercial team, working closely with operations, go-to-market teams and supplier partners to select and negotiate product ranges, pricing, terms and investments that keep the business competitive, maximise margin and sales, and secure differentiation. Accountable for cost pricing, promotions and margin in line with financial objectives, and for supporting dropship operations to meet customer satisfaction, business priorities and NPS targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage category supplier relationships in line with the overall commercial supplier strategy and the category strategy.
- Build and maintain credible relationships with suppliers and develop a sourcing strategy to deliver the best ranges and support the core category strategy, including availability and marketing road‑map.
- Collaborate with suppliers to understand future technology road‑maps and anticipate changes in customer trends and demand.
- Negotiate product ranges – cost pricing, terms, exclusivity, distribution, and stock availability with distributors.
- Negotiate additional fixed and variable financial terms related to ranging, activity and performance.
- Secure promotional funding to drive sales while maintaining margin in line with financial objectives.
- Guarantee adequate product and promotional differentiation from competitors to support market‑share growth.
- Price the product range to meet agreed category CPI targets.
- Work with the returns team to ensure adequate supplier return agreements are in place to meet customer service requirements and minimise cost exposure.
- Use customer and market data from the go‑to‑market team to set correct ranges and promotional plans that drive customer loyalty.
- Resolve all supplier issues related to cost price, product, stock and other queries.
Required Skills & Experience
- Buying experience within an FMCG, fashion or hard‑goods fast‑paced retailer.
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage all supplier partnerships.
- Good judgement and strong decision‑making skills to enable the right actions for the category.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills to review data and provide recommendations/action plans to drive sales, profit and cash.
- Good planning, organisational and multitasking skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of presenting to senior stakeholders and working cross‑functionally.
- Customer champion with excellent commercial awareness and understanding of customer needs.
- Proficient with SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other MS Office workflow tools.
- Experience of working to deadlines and managing critical paths.
- Strong presentation and speaking skills.
- Ability to monitor internal controls and make recommendations as needed.
- Dropship management experience and knowledge with high SKU volume (preferred, not essential).
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlement.
- Life Assurance.
- Staff discounts and offers.
- Hybrid working – expected to meet in person 2–4 times per month.
Assistant Vendor Manager employer: Dixons Carphone
At Currys, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our London Campus in Waterloo. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for meaningful contributions within our commercial team, alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, life assurance, and staff discounts. Our hybrid working model fosters a collaborative culture while allowing flexibility, making Currys an attractive place for those seeking a rewarding career in retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Vendor Manager
✨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 Dixons Carphone, 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 Dixons Carphone!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Vendor Manager
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 Dixons Carphone, 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 Dixons Carphone 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 Dixons Carphone that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dixons Carphone
✨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!
