At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Fenwick's Home category strategy and drive sales growth through innovative product offerings.
- Company: Fenwick, a historic family-owned department store with a focus on luxury and innovation.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, birthday off, up to 25% discount, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to excellence and innovation in retail.
- Why this job: Shape the future of home products and inspire customers with beautifully curated selections.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Home Buying with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Home Buyer to lead key areas of our Home category, driving commercial performance and ensuring Fenwick continues to offer a distinctive and compelling product proposition for our customers.
We offer hybrid working between your home and our flagship store in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing a collaborative and innovative environment from which to support our business and customers.
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.
- We Care -24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service.
- Hybrid Working (Typically every Thursday and Friday working from home).
About the Role
As Senior Home Buyer, you will take ownership of Fenwick's Home category strategy across stores and digital channels, driving sales growth, profitability and market share through a customer-focused and commercially compelling product proposition.
You will shape category plans, identify growth opportunities and ensure the Home offer remains relevant, inspiring and aligned with the Fenwick brand.
The role is responsible for developing and managing a market-leading assortment across key Home categories, balancing established brands with emerging and design-led partners.
You will build strong strategic supplier relationships, lead commercial negotiations and utilise customer insight, trend analysis and performance data to inform buying decisions.
Working closely with Merchandising, Retail, Marketing and Digital teams, you will ensure the Home proposition is delivered consistently across all customer touchpoints and supported by engaging campaigns and activations.
As a senior member of the Buying team, you will play a key role in influencing broader business strategy and driving continuous improvement across the function.
You will lead category performance through effective planning, forecasting and stock management, while developing talent and fostering strong cross-functional collaboration.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Home at Fenwick, delivering a distinctive product offer and ensuring Fenwick remains a destination for customers seeking beautifully curated home products and inspiration.
What we are looking for in a candidate...
- 5+ years' experience in Home Buying, with demonstrable responsibility for significant categories, budgets and supplier relationships.
- Proven track record of delivering sales growth, margin improvement and commercial performance within a homewares, luxury or premium retail environment.
- Proven track record of identifying, launching, and growing emerging brands, supported by a strong understanding of market trends and consumer opportunities.
- Strong understanding of home and interior trends, customer behaviours and the evolving competitive landscape.
- Advanced negotiation and influencing skills, with experience managing strategic supplier partnerships.
- Strong financial and analytical capability, with the ability to translate insight into commercial action.
- Experience leading, mentoring and developing buying talent.
- Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Passion for home innovation, customer experience and brand storytelling.
- 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 e Commerce 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!
Senior Buyer in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Fenwick
Fenwick is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture in the heart of Central London. With generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, a birthday off, and a significant employee discount, we prioritise the well-being and growth of our team members. As part of our Digital team, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of our online customer experience while working in a hybrid environment that fosters innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Fenwick, 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 Fenwick!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Fenwick, 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 Fenwick 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 Fenwick that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick
✨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!
