At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a buying team and shape product ranges while staying hands-on with suppliers.
- Company: A successful business with a family feel and a passion for products and customers.
- Benefits: Flexible working, supportive culture, and opportunities for commercial impact.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team where your ideas are valued and career growth is encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a role that combines leadership with hands-on buying.
- Qualifications: Strong buying experience and ability to develop supplier relationships.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
What's in it for you? A genuine opportunity to influence one of the biggest categories within a successful and growing business. You'll have the autonomy to shape product ranges, build long-term supplier partnerships and develop your team, all while staying involved in the part of buying you enjoy most. Add in a supportive culture, flexible working, regular supplier visits and trade shows, and you've got a Head of Buying role that offers both variety and the chance to make a real commercial impact.
What can I expect? Yes, you'll be leading a team. Yes, you'll help shape the buying strategy. But this isn't one of those Head of roles where you spend your week in meetings looking at spreadsheets. This is a hands-on buying role for someone who genuinely enjoys being close to the products, the suppliers and the market. You'll have the freedom to influence ranges, develop supplier relationships, and play a key role in deciding what thousands of customers see every week.
About the job: As Head of Buying, you'll lead a small buying team responsible for one of the business's largest and most important product categories. While you'll be responsible for setting direction and supporting your team, you'll also remain heavily involved in the day-to-day buying activity. It's a varied role where commercial instinct is just as important as analytical thinking. You'll have plenty of autonomy, but equally, you'll be surrounded by experienced people who genuinely enjoy working together.
The company: They've built an outstanding reputation by combining commercial strength with a genuine passion for their products and customers. One of the things that sets them apart is that they've retained a family feel where relationships matter, decisions can be made quickly, and good ideas are listened to. People tend to stay because they enjoy the culture, the variety and the opportunity to make a real contribution. This role offers the chance to join a business that continues to invest in its product ranges, supplier partnerships and long-term growth.
Who will love this job? Someone who:
- Has strong buying experience within gardening, horticulture, DIY, home improvement or a related category
- Still enjoys the hands-on side of buying
- Has experience developing supplier relationships and negotiating commercially
- Can lead and motivate a small team
- Enjoys analysing sales data but trusts their commercial instinct too
- Likes spotting trends before everyone else does
- Wants enough autonomy to make decisions without layers of approval
Whether you're already leading a buying team or you're a Senior Buyer looking for your next step, this could be a fantastic opportunity.
Intrigued to find out more? Call Lucy on (phone number removed) or email.
Head of Buying - Hands-On Leadership with Flexible Work in Sheffield employer: MorePeople
Join a leading UK food manufacturing business in Quarrington, where you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that values innovation and teamwork. With a structured shift pattern and a strong focus on employee development, this role offers excellent opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth, making it an ideal place for skilled Electrical Engineers looking to make a meaningful impact in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying - Hands-On Leadership with Flexible Work in Sheffield
✨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 MorePeople, 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 MorePeople!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying - Hands-On Leadership with Flexible Work in Sheffield
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 MorePeople, 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 MorePeople 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 MorePeople that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at MorePeople
✨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!
