At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Buying team to plan and purchase top-notch cookshop products.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact by sourcing innovative products and building strong supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 54500 - 84100 £ per year.
About The Role
We have a great opportunity to join our Buying team as the Buyer of Cookshop. You will be a highly motivated, experienced individual who uses your expert knowledge to plan and purchase the best ranges for our customers within the category. Your remit includes delivering agreed KPIs such as sales, profit, stock, margin, and achieving required customer metrics and hit rates. You will source an assortment of high-strategic importance and complexity that optimises market trends and creates a competitive advantage. As an experienced negotiator you will independently manage brand supplier relationships and work closely with your Merchandiser to analyse commercial input and market data across all channels to develop an appealing category assortment for the John Lewis & Partners customer base.
Key Details
- Salary: £54,500.00 – £84,100.00 per annum (up to £65,000 depending on experience)
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Hybrid; minimum 3 days per week in the Pimlico Head Office and a minimum of 12 visits per year to John Lewis branches
- Location: Pimlico, Head Office, London, England
- Interview dates: week commencing 17th November
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Merchandiser, Category Lead, Buying Manager, Head of Buying, Trade Planning, Trading & Product Operations, Online and Marketing teams to drive pace and agility.
- Accountable for the commercial success of the product range, from range planning to agile in-season trading.
- Maintain up-to-date market knowledge and anticipate future dynamics.
- Build and sustain strong supplier relationships, ensuring adherence to standards and agreed terms.
- Make decisions on product assortment, development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins in line with category and customer strategy.
- Deputise for the Buying Manager when appropriate.
- Manage and develop a team of three Buying Assistants within Cookshop.
Essential Skills / Experience
- Proven experience in buying.
- Experience dealing with large, global brands.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Highly numerate with strong analytical capabilities.
- Commercial experience of trading in a fast-paced, reactive environment.
- Cohesive collaborative approach across teams.
Desirable Skills / Experience
- Previous experience in cook and bakeware.
Important Points to Note
Some roles are subject to pre-employment vetting, which may include DBS checks. Required vetting data will be provided during the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability, please contact us early. We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter hour contracts where possible. Flexible work arrangements should be discussed with the hiring manager.
About The Partnership
We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home of John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re driven by our purpose to build a happier world and focus relentlessly on retail excellence, innovation, adaptation and diversification.
Buyer – Cookshop employer: John Lewis & Partners
At John Lewis & Partners, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Buyer in our Pimlico Head Office, you will enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth while contributing to our mission of retail excellence and innovation. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and supports your career development in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer – Cookshop
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their products, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your negotiation skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at John Lewis & Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer – Cookshop
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer – Cookshop role. Highlight your buying experience, especially with large brands, and showcase your negotiation skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Cookshop category and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any relevant market knowledge or trends you've noticed.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love seeing numbers that back up your achievements, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll need to be highly numerate. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss key metrics like sales, profit margins, and stock levels. Bring examples of how you've used data to make buying decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is crucial for this role. Think of specific instances where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or stakeholders. Be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage brand relationships effectively.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
The job requires you to maintain up-to-date market knowledge. Research current trends in cook and bakeware before the interview. Be prepared to share your insights on what’s trending and how you would apply that knowledge to enhance the product range.
✨Collaborative Mindset
This role involves working closely with various teams. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight your experience in cross-functional teamwork and how it contributed to achieving commercial success.
