At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic buying team in the fast-paced FMCG sector, driving product range development.
- Company: Join a leading retail company focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, exclusive discounts, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping product offerings and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in FMCG buying, strong negotiation skills, and leadership capabilities.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive plus car allowance and benefits
Contract Type: Full Time
Working Pattern: Permanent
Hours: 40.0
About The Role
We are currently recruiting a Senior Buyer to join the Buying Team based at our Customer Support Centre in Walsall. Reporting to the Director of Trading, the Senior Buyer will lead a small buying team responsible for a number of key categories with our FMCG trading team. This is an exciting but challenging role working in a fast‑paced retail environment. You will be responsible for representing our business both in brand and culture through the products you select. It offers the opportunity to grow the categories through gaining an understanding of our customer, and using analytical information and supplier relationships to build product ranges that offer quality and value.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Why choose us?
- Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in‑house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue a qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
- Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
- Car Allowance: Enjoy the advantage of a car allowance, allowing you to choose your own vehicle while reducing commuting costs.
- Free On‑Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle‑free.
- Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
- Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in‑store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
- Family‑Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.
- My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.
- Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.
- Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
- Holiday Allowance: Start with a leave entitlement of 33 days per year, with the option to buy additional holidays annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day of holiday because we believe birthdays are important.
- Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.
Your Impact And Responsibilities
The role is responsible for coordinating and aligning all commercial activities across your FMCG categories. You will take accountability for range development, product development, and continuous improvements, as well as ownership of the structure, and leading the commercial team on all projects across the business as well as being involved in exploring new business, products and format opportunities that continue to excite the customer.
Contribute to the achievement of the Commercial strategy and key performance indicators through effective leadership. Lead the development and execution of product range reviews to optimise category performance. Identify opportunities for new private label categories and enhance the performance and positioning of existing own‑brand ranges. Drive revenue, margin, and gross profit across commercial divisions and brands. Negotiate high‑value contracts worth millions of pounds. Set and meet key performance objectives related to sales, margin, and other critical operational metrics. Implement the company’s strategic plan, tailoring it to each category’s needs. Lead the execution of operational strategies across commercial activities. Drive initiatives aimed at boosting sales, reducing costs, and improving product delivery. Oversee price benchmarking and analysis to maintain competitive value leadership. Champion process development and continuous improvement, driving efficient and impactful changes across the Commercial team. Provide support to team members in managing supplier negotiations and commercial projects. Cultivate a positive, high‑performance culture within the Buying team. Promote collaboration between Buying, Supply Chain, Marketing, Finance, and other departments. Communicate business strategies clearly to ensure alignment and consistency within the team. Recognise and reward outstanding performance while addressing any underperformance constructively. Inspire the team to drive innovation, accelerate speed to market, and maintain a competitive edge. Ensure effective knowledge sharing and role coverage to safeguard business continuity. Compile sales and purchase data, highlighting potential sales opportunities and areas for category expansion. Provide targeted tactical recommendations to the Director of Trade and Commercial Director, backed by relevant insights and intelligence. Prepare presentations for the Board and executive summaries for senior leadership.
Skills And Knowledge
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven experience in a Senior Buyer role within an FMCG retail environment.
- Proven track record of leading retail category teams, managing high‑value contracts, and handling complex negotiations.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and demonstrating the ability to foster long‑term partnerships.
- Strong background in retail buying category management, including analysing market trends, creating product ranges, and ensuring stock availability.
- Analytical skills: Ability to interpret data, sales forecasts, and market trends to make informed decisions.
- Negotiation skills: Strong capability to negotiate contracts, terms, and prices with suppliers.
- Strategic thinking: Ability to align buying strategies with broader company goals and market conditions.
- Project management: Skilled in managing multiple categories, suppliers, and projects simultaneously.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication to liaise with suppliers, internal teams, and senior management.
- Attention to detail: Ensure accuracy in contracts, purchasing orders, and inventory records.
- Leadership experience: While this is a senior role, previous experience leading teams, managing budgets, sales forecasts, and inventory.
- A proven track record in building high‑performing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts that enhance profitability and efficiency.
Senior Buyer - FMCG in Walsall employer: Poundland & Dealz
Join a dynamic and supportive team at our Customer Support Centre in Walsall, where we prioritise professional development and employee wellbeing. With competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including a car allowance, exclusive discounts, and a strong focus on work-life balance, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation that empowers our employees to thrive. Experience the satisfaction of making a meaningful impact in the fast-paced FMCG sector while enjoying a vibrant workplace atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - FMCG in Walsall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local FMCG events. 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 interviews by researching the company and its products. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their brand and culture. Tailor your answers to reflect how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate high-value contracts. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - FMCG in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in FMCG, especially any leadership roles and successful negotiations you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your expertise in category management.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data interpretation, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. Share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve product ranges in your previous roles. We love numbers as much as we love great products!
Apply Early!:We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so don’t wait around! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Poundland & Dealz
✨Know Your FMCG Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the FMCG sector. Understand current trends, key players, and market dynamics. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their buying team.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of high-value contracts you've negotiated in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability to handle complex negotiations effectively.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Bring along data or case studies that highlight your analytical skills. Discuss how you've used data to inform product range decisions or improve category performance. This will show that you can make informed decisions based on market insights.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Be prepared to talk about your experience leading teams. Share how you've cultivated a positive culture, inspired innovation, and driven performance. Highlighting your leadership style will reassure them that you can manage and motivate a buying team successfully.
