At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchasing, supplier relationships, and stock planning to optimise product availability.
- Company: Established and successful organisation in a growing product-based business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, funded training, and employee referral scheme.
- Other info: Office-based role with excellent career growth opportunities in Aldershot.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, merchandising, or procurement with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Aldershot, Hampshire
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Are you an experienced Buyer or Merchandiser looking for an opportunity where you can make a genuine impact within a growing product-based business? We're recruiting on behalf of an established and successful organisation looking for a commercially minded Buyer & Merchandiser to join their Procurement team. This is a varied role combining purchasing, supplier management, stock planning and merchandising, offering the opportunity to influence product availability, supplier performance and inventory strategy.
This is an office-based position where you'll work closely with Procurement, Sales, Finance and Quality teams to ensure products are sourced competitively, delivered on time and maintained at optimum stock levels.
Key Responsibilities- Manage purchase orders from placement through to delivery.
- Build strong relationships with UK and international suppliers.
- Liaise with freight forwarders and logistics providers to coordinate shipments.
- Monitor supplier performance, lead times and delivery schedules.
- Forecast stock requirements and maintain optimum inventory levels.
- Analyse sales trends and demand to support purchasing decisions.
- Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Source new suppliers and products in line with business requirements.
- Work closely with internal departments to resolve supply issues and maintain excellent service levels.
- Ensure product and stock information is accurately maintained within the ERP system.
- Produce reports and analyse purchasing and stock performance.
You'll ideally have experience within a buying, merchandising, procurement or supply chain environment and enjoy working in a fast-paced commercial business. You'll also have:
- Previous buying, merchandising or procurement experience.
- Strong negotiation and supplier relationship skills.
- Experience with stock forecasting and inventory planning.
- Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Confident communication skills with the ability to build relationships across departments.
- Strong Excel and systems experience (ERP/Sage experience would be advantageous).
- A proactive and commercially minded approach.
- Competitive salary
- Workplace pension
- 28 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
- Additional annual leave purchase scheme
- Funded training and development
- Employee referral scheme
- Long service recognition
- Cycle storage
- Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
- Office-based role in Aldershot
Locations
Retail Buyer & Merchandiser in Aldershot, Hampshire employer: Halmer Group
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Buyer & Merchandiser in Aldershot, Hampshire
✨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 Halmer Group, 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 Halmer Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Buyer & Merchandiser in Aldershot, Hampshire
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 Halmer Group, 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 Halmer Group 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 Halmer Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halmer Group
✨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!
