Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Home team to deliver exciting products and drive sales at Dobbies.
- Company: Join Dobbies, a leading garden centre retailer with a rich history since 1865.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, generous discounts, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make an impact in retail while nurturing your leadership skills and creativity.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical, negotiation, and team management skills are essential.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and a focus on wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
We currently have an opportunity for a Buyer to join our Home team based in our Central Support Offices at Lasswade on a 12 month fixed term basis. You will be responsible for the delivery of commercial ranges and unique products that will create a reason for customers to shop at Dobbies and deliver the sales and margin required. As a manager and leader within Dobbies, you will show strong team management skills, driving performance through empowering your direct reports and your teams to make the right decisions.
Responsibilities
- Understand trends and metrics to range product in line with customers' expectations
- Manage and develop supplier relationships to ensure stock and cash management
- Identify supply chain issues and manage to ensure stock availability
- Analyse consumer buying patterns and predict future trends
- Working with the merchandising team, manage plans for stock levels
- Regularly review performance indicators, such as sales, sell through, promotions and stock levels
- Meet suppliers, negotiate and agree terms of contracts
- Maintain relationships with existing suppliers and source new suppliers for future products
- Attend trade fairs to select and assemble new collection of products
- Present new ranges to the senior team
- Curate and trade multi channel strategy
- Train and mentor junior team members
- Provide oversight to team, managing day-to-day issues and concerns, coaching and developing all team members, driving performance and delivering the company goals through inhouse tools and ensuring all managed within company policy, procedures and processes
- Take the lead in creating a great place to work for everyone; create a positive and engaged team through recognition, fun and inspiring others to achieve
- Be an effective coach with the ability to provide direct, honest and constructive feedback
Who we are looking for
- Strong analytical skills
- Commercial awareness
- Creative with an eye for trends and future opportunities
- Excellent negotiation skills and ability to network and influence people
- Ability to cope with the pressure of having to make important decisions and meet tight deadlines
- Confident presentation style
- Drive and determination
- Numerical and IT proficient
- A passion for retail
- Empathetic, organised, empowering where appropriate. Good delegator and manager of individuals and teams
- Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better every day. We bring a smile. We live and breathe gardens. We make it work for our customers.
What we offer
- Holiday – enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time)
- Discount – treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
- Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance
- Pension – save for the future with our company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan
- Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan
- Access to Stream – support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
- Access to Retail Trust – seek confidential support, access to a Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform
- Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our eLearning platform and development programmes
- Study assistance – invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications
- The little things to keep you going through the day – free tea, coffee, and milk
- Collaborative office space – with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap
- Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events
About us
At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK. Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all-year-round. Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for. We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.
Buyer - Home employer: Dobbies Central Support Office
Contact Detail:
Dobbies Central Support Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Home
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend trade fairs, and connect with suppliers. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your analytical skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share insights on trends and consumer behaviour. It’ll show you’re not just a buyer, but a strategic thinker.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You might need to present new ranges or ideas, so being confident and clear will set you apart. Grab a friend and do a mock presentation!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail: When writing your application, let your love for retail shine through! Share specific examples of how you've engaged with customers or trends in the industry. We want to see that you live and breathe what we do at Dobbies.
Highlight Your Analytical Skills: As a Buyer, you'll need strong analytical skills. Make sure to mention any experience you have with analysing sales data or consumer trends. We’re looking for someone who can spot opportunities and make informed decisions!
Demonstrate Team Leadership: We value strong team management skills, so don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've empowered your team or handled challenges. We want to know how you can create a positive and engaged environment!
Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to the role. Use keywords from the job description and relate your experiences directly to the responsibilities listed. Remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Central Support Office
✨Know Your Trends
Before the interview, dive deep into current trends in the home and garden sector. Familiarise yourself with what’s hot and what’s not, as well as Dobbies' unique offerings. This will help you demonstrate your analytical skills and show that you understand customer expectations.
✨Supplier Savvy
Brush up on your supplier management knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you would develop relationships with suppliers and manage stock effectively. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated terms or resolved supply chain issues.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your team management approach. Highlight how you empower your team and drive performance. Share specific instances where you coached or mentored junior members, and how that contributed to achieving company goals.
✨Engage with Enthusiasm
Dobbies values a positive and engaged team culture. During the interview, let your passion for retail shine through. Be enthusiastic about the role and the company, and don’t hesitate to share how you can contribute to creating a great workplace for everyone.