At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the fragrance buying strategy and curate an exciting product assortment.
- Company: Fenwick, a historic and innovative family-owned department store.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, birthday off, up to 25% discount, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team driving innovation and excellence in retail.
- Why this job: Shape the fragrance market and inspire customers with your passion for beauty.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in fragrance or beauty buying with strong negotiation skills.
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 London employer: Fenwick
Contact Detail:
Fenwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Fragrance in 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 your passion for fragrance! When you get an interview, be ready to discuss your favourite scents and trends. This will show your genuine interest and expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you’d handle supplier negotiations or identify emerging trends. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨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 proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Fragrance in 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 industry, 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 Experience: Make sure to detail your relevant experience in fragrance or beauty buying. We’re looking for someone with at least 3 years under their belt, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements and how they align with our needs. Use numbers and results to make your case stronger!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Buyer role at Fenwick. Mention how your skills in negotiation and trend analysis can contribute to our fragrance category. We appreciate a personal touch!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Fenwick!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨Know Your Fragrance Trends
Before the interview, dive deep into current fragrance trends and emerging brands. Be prepared to discuss how these trends can influence Fenwick's buying strategy. Showing that you’re up-to-date will demonstrate your passion and expertise in the beauty and fragrance market.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since this role involves supplier negotiations, think of specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated deals. Highlight your approach and the outcomes, as this will showcase your commercial acumen and confidence in influencing at all levels.
✨Prepare Data-Driven Insights
Bring along data or case studies that illustrate your ability to analyse performance and identify growth opportunities. This could be sales figures, market analysis, or successful product launches. It’s a great way to show that you can combine intuition with data-led insights.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Fenwick values a collaborative environment, so be ready to discuss how you've worked with different teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve partnered with marketing, digital, or retail teams to create a customer-first experience, which is crucial for this role.