At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Gardening team to source and develop unique products that attract customers.
- Company: Dobbies, a leading garden centre retailer with a rich history.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, generous discounts, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and fun social events.
- Why this job: Make an impact in retail while working with passionate people who love gardens.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, commercial awareness, and a passion for retail.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Junior Buyer to join our Gardening team within Buying & Merchandising, based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade.
You will work alongside the Buyer/Senior Buyer to source and develop commercial ranges and unique products that will create the reason for customers to shop at Dobbies.
You will work on developing relationships with suppliers to get the best range and commercial terms for Dobbies.
- Responsibilites
- Build and manage critical path with key business stakeholders
- Develop supplier relationships to ensure product at best price and quality
- Meet company KPIs on sales margin in specific area
- Begin to understand supply chain and work to ensure stock availability
- Review consumer buying patterns to help understand future trends
- Ensure product launch in line with seasonal launch dates
- Attend trade shows and visit suppliers, developing supply base to achieve competitive advantage
- Regularly review performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels and propose actions
- Attend trade fairs to assist in the selection and assembly of new collection of products
- Write reports and forecast sales levels
- Working within multi channel retailing, ensuring product is available and represented across all selling channels
Who We Are Looking For
- Strong analytical skills
- Commercial awareness
- Creative with an eye for trends and future opportunities
- Comfortable in negotiation
- Ability to cope with the pressure of having to make important decisions and meet tight deadlines
- Positive energy and a strong mind to succeed
- Confident presentation style
- Drive and determination
- Numerical and IT proficient
- A passion for retail
- Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better everyday. 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 e Learning 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.
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Junior Buyer - Gardening employer: Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres in Wallington is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where passion for food and customer service thrives. With generous leave, discounts, and opportunities for professional growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to a team that prioritises exceptional dining experiences. Join us to be part of a supportive environment that values your contributions and fosters career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer - Gardening
✨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 Dobbies Garden Centres, 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 Dobbies Garden Centres!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer - Gardening
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 Dobbies Garden Centres, 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 Dobbies Garden Centres 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 Dobbies Garden Centres that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Garden Centres
✨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!
