At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for toys, driving sales and customer experience.
- Company: Join Lagardère Travel Retail, a fast-growing dynamic retail organisation.
- Benefits: Earn up to 15% bonus, enjoy 25 days holiday, and receive in-store discounts.
- Other info: Great step-up opportunity for Assistant Buyers or Junior Buyers ready for more responsibility.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail with exciting product launches and commercial opportunities.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years buying experience, strong Excel skills, and excellent negotiation abilities.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Ready for What’s Next in Travel Retail? We’re growing fast at Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland — and we’re looking for a Toys Buyer to help shape the future of retail across our expanding portfolio.
Job Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic retail organisation where every day brings new challenges, product launches, and commercial opportunities. As the Buyer for the Toys category, you will lead the end‑to‑end buying strategy to deliver a compelling, profitable, and customer‑focused product range. Working closely with suppliers, commercial teams, stores, and senior stakeholders, you will drive strong sales performance, healthy margins, and an exceptional customer experience. This role is also a fantastic step‑up opportunity for an experienced Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer ready to take on full category ownership and broader commercial responsibility. The position includes commercial ownership of our branded LEGO and MINISO stores—covering product selection, supplier management, and execution of an engaging in‑store range that reflects customer demand and brand standards.
Benefits
- Bonus – earn up to 15% bonus on top of your salary
- 25 days holiday – plus bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days to suit your needs
- Up to 25% in‑store discount
- Cash Plan – claim back everyday health costs such as dental, optical, and physio
- Pension – company will top up your future with up to 3% monthly contribution to your pension pot
- Life assurance – protection for your loved ones with 2× your base salary in life cover
- Non‑contractual benefits wholly at company discretion and subject to change
Key Responsibilities
- Product Buying, Range Planning & Category Ownership: Develop and execute the toys category strategy across core, seasonal and trend‑led ranges. Lead buying and assortment planning for LEGO and MINISO branded stores. Analyse customer behaviour, sales data and market trends. Present commercially driven range proposals to senior stakeholders.
- Supplier Management & Negotiation: Build and maintain strong relationships with toy suppliers. Negotiate cost prices, trading terms, promotional funding and exclusivity opportunities.
- Commercial Performance & Insight: Review weekly and monthly trading performance. Deliver actionable insights to improve sales, margin and stock productivity. Oversee promotional activity, pricing changes and markdown strategies. Monitor competitor activity and market developments.
- Inventory & Supply Chain Coordination: Work with supply chain teams on stock flow, replenishment and delivery timelines. Maintain optimal inventory levels across Toys, LEGO and MINISO stores. Minimise overstock and prevent stockouts.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing on product launches and seasonal campaigns. Work with Store Operations to support stores in strong product execution.
Qualifications
- 3-4 years’ experience in buying (experience within toys or kids’ categories preferred but not essential).
- Strong Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, SUMIF, data manipulation).
- Experience analysing large datasets and generating commercial insights.
Key Skills
- Strong negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
- High commercial awareness and product intuition.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
Buyer - Toys employer: Lagardère Travel Retail
Contact Detail:
Lagardère Travel Retail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Toys
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their current toy range and think about how you could contribute to their strategy. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely excited about their brand!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you’ll need to negotiate with suppliers, so why not role-play some scenarios with friends? We believe that being confident in these discussions can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make your dream job a reality together!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Toys
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer - Toys role. Highlight your relevant experience in buying, especially if you've worked with toys or kids' categories. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for retail and your understanding of the toys market. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity at Lagardère Travel Retail.
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since strong Excel skills are key for this role, don’t forget to mention your experience with data analysis. Share examples of how you've used data to drive commercial insights and improve performance in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our dynamic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lagardère Travel Retail
✨Know Your Toys
Before the interview, dive deep into the toys market. Familiarise yourself with current trends, popular brands like LEGO and MINISO, and what makes them successful. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and understanding of the category during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role involves analysing sales data and customer behaviour, be prepared to discuss your experience with Excel and data analysis. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Negotiation is key in this role, so think of past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms or built strong supplier relationships. Be ready to role-play a negotiation scenario during the interview to showcase your skills.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position requires working closely with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with marketing, supply chain, or store operations in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to work towards common goals.