At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and negotiate products directly from factories across Asia for a diverse lifestyle portfolio.
- Company: Join a well-established consumer products brand with a strong global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; all backgrounds encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced role while working with international suppliers.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying within gift or lifestyle sectors and direct factory sourcing.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
A well-established consumer products brand with a broad gifting, home and lifestyle portfolio is looking for a commercially minded Buyer to join their team. With a diverse global supplier base and a strong presence across international markets, this is a business that takes real pride in its products and its people. You’ll work directly with factories across Asia and beyond, supporting buying activity across the full product range and playing a key part in a fast-paced, product-led business.
Role Overview
This is a hands-on buying role working across the full product portfolio. You’ll be involved in sourcing, supplier management and commercial negotiations across multiple ranges, working closely with the wider product and commercial teams. You’ll be buying direct from factories, negotiating and taking real ownership of your supplier relationships and results.
About You
You’re an experienced buyer with a background in gift, homeware, lifestyle or a related consumer product sector, and you’ve bought direct from factories rather than through brands or agents. You’ve travelled to Asia for buying trips, you understand the dynamics of working with overseas manufacturers, and you’re confident negotiating on costs and commercial terms. You’re adaptable, organised and comfortable working across a varied product mix.
Key Responsibilities
- Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Source products directly from factories across Asia and other key manufacturing regions
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with existing suppliers while proactively identifying new factory partners
- Travel to Asia for supplier visits, trade fairs and factory assessments as required
- Manage the end-to-end sourcing process across multiple product areas, from initial enquiry through to confirmed order
- Ensure suppliers can consistently meet quality, compliance and delivery requirements
- Commercial & Product
- Own cost price negotiations across a broad range of products, driving best value without compromising on quality
- Monitor and manage margins across a diverse product mix, flagging risks and opportunities
- Work collaboratively with the product and commercial teams to support range building and product development
- Stay across market trends, competitor activity and new product opportunities relevant to the business
- Support the critical path process to ensure orders are placed and delivered on time
- Quality, Compliance & Responsible Sourcing
- Ensure all products meet relevant quality and safety standards
- Work with suppliers to uphold ethical trading and responsible sourcing standards
- Support product testing and approval processes as required
Key Requirements
- Solid buying / purchasing experience within gift, homeware, lifestyle or a closely related consumer product environment
- Direct factory sourcing experience is essential — buying from manufacturers rather than brands or distributors
- Proven experience of travelling to Asia for buying trips and supplier visits
- Comfortable working across a varied, multi-product range rather than a single defined category
- Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering on cost
- Commercially sharp with a genuine feel for product
- Highly organised with the ability to juggle multiple suppliers, ranges and deadlines simultaneously
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
- London-based with the flexibility to travel internationally as required
Diversity & Inclusion: ILMJ values diversity, equality and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and identities.
Buyer, Gift, Home + Lifestyle employer: I Love My Job Ltd.
Join a well-established consumer products brand in London that prides itself on its diverse gifting, home, and lifestyle portfolio. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, this company offers excellent benefits, including opportunities for international travel and hands-on experience in sourcing and supplier management. As a Buyer, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping product offerings while working closely with a dynamic team dedicated to quality and ethical sourcing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer, Gift, Home + Lifestyle
✨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 I Love My Job Ltd., 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 I Love My Job Ltd.!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer, Gift, Home + Lifestyle
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 I Love My Job Ltd., 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 I Love My Job Ltd. 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 I Love My Job Ltd. that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at I Love My Job Ltd.
✨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!
