At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying team to drive sales and develop exciting product ranges.
- Company: Dynamic retail company with a focus on home and everyday products.
- Benefits: Generous employee discount, extra day off for your birthday, and annual bonus opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and a commitment to employee wellbeing and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that offers autonomy and growth potential.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Buyer in FMCG Retail with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our General Merchandise Retail Buying team based in Walsall. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract offering the flexibility of hybrid working. As a Senior Buyer, you'll take ownership of key categories across Home and Everyday Home, driving commercial performance, leading the implementation of trading strategies and effectively managing budgets and resources. You'll play a pivotal role in maximising sales, profitability, and sustainable growth through effective category management, critical path delivery, and people leadership.
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow the categories through gaining understanding of our customer and brand; and by leading the team to source and develop the right product and design ranges that excite our customer whilst continuing to offer great quality and value. With autonomy and trust to make an impact from day one, you will:
- Contribute to the achievement of the Commercial strategy and key performance indicators through effective leadership.
- Drive revenue, margin, and gross profit across commercial divisions and brands.
- Lead the development and execution of product range reviews to optimise category performance.
- 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.
- Drive initiatives aimed at boosting sales, reducing costs, and improving product delivery.
- Lead the definition and implementation of the business division's growth strategy, informed by competitive insights and market trends.
- Identify, create, and develop new product range opportunities, taking ownership of crafting compelling business proposals that secure new deals, contracts, and long-term partnerships.
- Identify opportunities for new private label categories and enhance the performance and positioning of existing own-brand ranges.
- Take responsibility for developing comprehensive business plans and overseeing the sales and space budgeting process to achieve strategic goals.
- Champion process development and continuous improvement, driving efficient and impactful changes across the Commercial team.
- Cultivate a positive, high-performance culture within the Buying team.
- Recognise and reward outstanding performance while addressing any underperformance constructively.
- Provide targeted tactical recommendations to the Director of Trade and Commercial Director, backed by relevant insights and intelligence.
- Assist in developing reporting systems that offer actionable insights to the business and leadership teams, enabling informed and efficient decision-making.
We are seeking someone with:
- Previous experience as a Senior Buyer with proven success in FMCG Retail Buying.
- Deep understanding of the sector, including market dynamics, competitors, and consumer behaviour.
- Strong capability to negotiate contracts, terms, and prices with suppliers.
- A proven record of driving cost savings, efficiency improvements, and strategic sourcing.
- Strong working knowledge of the FMCG sector, including market dynamics, competitors, and consumer behaviour.
- The ability to lead a high performing team and effectively manage poor performance.
- Previous success in building collaborative supplier relationships and negotiating contracts that enhance profitability and efficiency.
We offer rewards that go beyond the payslip, including:
- 10% employee discount card with increased discount events over the year.
- Celebrate your birthday with an extra day off.
- Holidays, 33 days a year including bank holidays.
- Family private medical cover.
- Annual bonus scheme, with the opportunity to earn up to 25% of your base salary.
- Car allowance of £600 per month.
- Free parking onsite.
- Pension scheme for your future, with up to 5% employer matched contributions.
- Wellbeing support through our partnership with Retail Trust.
- My Staff Shop, offering discounts and shopping vouchers.
- Access to up to 50% of your monthly earned wages early, along with savings and financial advice.
- Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
- Life assurance, loyalty service awards, and more.
Bring your leadership, commercial mindset, and ability to inspire teams—and we’ll help you build your career with us! We’re committed to our inclusive culture, and that starts with the recruitment and selection process. If you require a reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process, please do share this with us on your application form and we’ll make every effort to meet your needs.
Senior Buyer - General Merchandise Retail - Home & Everyday Home in Walsall employer: POUNDLAND LIMITED
Join our dynamic team in Walsall as a Senior Buyer, where you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a competitive benefits package including a generous holiday allowance, family medical cover, and opportunities for career development, we empower you to make a meaningful impact from day one while fostering a collaborative environment that celebrates success and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - General Merchandise Retail - Home & Everyday Home in Walsall
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - General Merchandise Retail - Home & Everyday Home in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to POUNDLAND LIMITED:Don’t forget to personalise your application for POUNDLAND LIMITED! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at POUNDLAND LIMITED
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that POUNDLAND LIMITED offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at POUNDLAND LIMITED and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
