At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative IP product ranges for global attractions.
- Company: Join Merlin, a leader in entertainment and retail with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts on LEGO, free attraction tickets, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in retail by shaping exciting product assortments.
- Qualifications: Proven buying experience and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
What you'll bring to the team
We're looking for a commercially driven and strategically minded Global Senior Buyer - IPs to join our Merlin Brands Buying team, leading the development and delivery of our external Intellectual Property (IP) product ranges across Merlin attractions globally.
This is a high-impact role sitting at the centre of our global retail operation. You'll be responsible for shaping category strategies, developing commercially successful and innovative assortments by building partnerships with world-renowned IP partners. From identifying product trends and opportunities to negotiating commercial agreements and delivering world class product ranges, you'll play a key role in driving retail growth across our attractions.
Working closely with Merchandising, Brand, Marketing, and Retail Operations, you'll ensure our retail ranges are inspiring, customer-focused and commercially robust. You'll use customer insights, market trends, brand knowledge and performance data to make informed decisions that improve revenue, profitability and guest satisfaction while bringing our global IP brands to life through exceptional product assortments.
You'll also act as a key ambassador for Merlin with external IP partners and suppliers, building strong relationships that support innovation, commercial growth and long‑term success. Whether leading range reviews, developing pricing strategies, improving processes or coaching team members, you'll balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.
If you're passionate about product, have a strong commercial mindset and enjoy turning customer and market insight into profitable retail ranges, we'd love to hear from you.
This is a full‑time, permanent role based at our Merlin Technical Hub, next to Thorpe Park Resort.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven buying experience within a retail environment, with experience managing or developing IP‑led or Branded product ranges.
- Strong knowledge of retail buying, assortment planning and range development.
- Excellent commercial acumen with a strong eye for product, trends and customer needs.
- Experience using commercial, sales and inventory data to make informed buying decisions and drive performance.
- Passion for product and trend led assortment strategies.
- Strong supplier management, negotiation and contract management skills.
- Experience working with external partners, licensors or intellectual property brands would be highly advantageous.
- Knowledge of global sourcing and product development, including experience working with international suppliers.
- Strong financial awareness with experience managing margins, pricing strategies, rebates and vendor contributions.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across different levels of an organisation.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, suppliers and external partners.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing individuals and teams.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a data‑driven and customer‑focused approach.
- A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
Benefits
- 40% off LEGO online
- 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
- Private Medical Insurance (Single cover)
- Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends every year
- Enjoy the Ride Pass – giving you and 5 others a Merlin annual pass (Gold edition)
- X2 volunteer days per year
- Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world
- Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets
If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at recruitment@merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay Range
Competitive
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Global Senior Buyer, IP's in Chertsey employer: Merlin
Merlin is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. As a Senior Manager in Business and Legal Affairs, you will benefit from competitive compensation, a supportive environment for professional growth, and the opportunity to engage with leading digital platforms while managing high-value licensing deals. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values technical excellence and encourages ownership of projects in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Senior Buyer, IP's in Chertsey
✨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 Merlin, 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 Merlin!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Senior Buyer, IP's in Chertsey
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 Merlin, 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 Merlin 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 Merlin that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin
✨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!
