At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the fragrance buying strategy and curate an exciting product assortment.
- Company: Fenwick, a historic family-owned department store with a passion for luxury.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, birthday off, up to 25% discount, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Shape the fragrance market and inspire customers with innovative products.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in fragrance or beauty buying with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team driving excellence and innovation in retail.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a driven and experienced Buyer with a passion for beauty and fragrance, looking for an opportunity to truly shape a market-leading Fragrance offering? If so, this could be the perfect role for you. We offer hybrid working between your home and our offices on Wigmore Street, Central London, providing a collaborative and innovative working space.
When you join Fenwick, you’ll receive:
- 33 days annual leave (inclusive of 8 bank holidays) and a buying holiday benefits scheme in which you are eligible to buy a further 5 days across the year.
- Your birthday off as an additional day annual leave – this can be taken any day within your birth month.
- Up to 25% discount in all Fenwick stores and fenwick.co.uk.
- WeCare - 24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service.
- Hybrid Working (Typically every Thursday and Friday working from home).
About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced Buyer to lead the strategy and execution of Fenwick’s Fragrance category across all stores and online. This role is central to driving sales, profitability and market share, delivering a curated assortment of established and emerging fragrance brands that reflects the Fenwick brand while meeting the needs of our customers. You’ll own the end-to-end buying process, from range planning and supplier negotiations through to trading, product launches and seasonal strategies. With a strong commercial eye, you’ll identify emerging fragrance trends, source new and distinctive brands, optimise margins and stock performance, and build trusted, long-term partnerships with key suppliers. Using a combination of data-led insight and market intuition, you’ll analyse performance and identify opportunities for growth across the fragrance category. Working closely with Retail, Digital, Marketing and support teams, you’ll help shape a customer-first fragrance offer that inspires customers and drives engagement both in-store and online. This role suits a buyer with fragrance or beauty experience, strong influencing skills and a passion for brand storytelling and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
What we are looking for in a candidate:
- 3+ years’ experience in Fragrance or Beauty Buying
- A sharp eye for product and emerging fragrance trends
- Proven commercial acumen and negotiation expertise
- Strong supplier relationships and the confidence to influence at all levels
- A data-driven yet intuitive approach to decision-making
- Experience in developing product strategies and building business cases
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- A passion for innovation, brand storytelling and customer experience
About Fenwick
Fenwick is rich with heritage and history and have been style pioneers since 1882 when our first store opened. We know luxury and are proud to remain the largest independent, family-owned group of department stores within the UK. We are on an exciting journey to exceed our customers' expectations and we are always on the lookout for new talent to join us. Our collaborative spirit unites a workforce of over 2,000 individuals across our stores, as well as in our support functions, encompassing Digital, Buying & Merchandising, IT, Finance, People, Customer Service teams, and our cherished restaurants and distribution centres. In 2023 we launched our ‘Quiet No More’ campaign, enhancing our presence on the UK high street as well as our eCommerce website going from strength to strength. Together, we form the beating heart of Fenwick, driving forward our vision for excellence and innovation. Join us as we pave the way toward an even brighter tomorrow, where tradition meets transformation!
Buyer - Fragrance in City of London employer: Fenwick
Contact Detail:
Fenwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Fragrance in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fragrance and beauty industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for fragrance! When you get an interview, be ready to discuss your favourite brands and trends. This will show that you’re not just a buyer, but a true enthusiast.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’ve handled supplier negotiations or identified trends in the past. We want to hear your success stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join the Fenwick family.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Fragrance in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fragrance: When writing your application, let your love for beauty and fragrance shine through! Share specific examples of how you've engaged with the fragrance market, whether it's through previous roles or personal interests. We want to see that you're not just a buyer, but a true enthusiast.
Highlight Your Commercial Acumen: Make sure to emphasise your experience in driving sales and profitability. Use numbers and data to back up your achievements. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong commercial eye and the ability to optimise margins, so don’t hold back on showcasing your successes!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your application for this role. Reference specific aspects of the job description and explain how your skills align with what we’re looking for. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team at Fenwick.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Fenwick and our values before you hit 'send'!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Know Your Fragrance Trends
Before the interview, brush up on the latest fragrance trends and emerging brands. Be ready to discuss how these trends can influence Fenwick's buying strategy. Showing that you’re in tune with the market will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how your approach not only secured better margins but also built strong supplier relationships. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to influence at all levels.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you use data to inform your buying decisions. Bring examples of how you've analysed performance metrics to identify growth opportunities in previous roles. This shows you have a strategic mindset that aligns with Fenwick's goals.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, prepare to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where teamwork led to successful product launches or marketing strategies, showcasing your ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting.