Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham
Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail

Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham

Birmingham Entry level 24000 - 36000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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Poundland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the buying process and drive performance in a fast-paced retail environment.
  • Company: Join Poundland, a leading retail powerhouse with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, exclusive discounts, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on product selection and customer satisfaction every day.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail buying, strong analytical skills, and excellent communication abilities.
  • Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive team environment.

The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.

We are looking for a Junior Buyer to join our Commercial team at Poundland. Based in our Customer Support Centre in Walsall, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your buying expertise in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where your decisions make a difference every day to our customers.

As a Junior Buyer, you'll support our Senior Buyer and Buyer in the FMCG Retail team to drive performance across your category - ensuring the right products land in store at the right time and the right price. You'll manage everything from supplier negotiations and sales analysis to range planning and sample management, all while learning what it takes to take full ownership of a product category. The role offers flexibility to work from home up to two days per week.

We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:

  • Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.
  • Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.
  • Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

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 qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
  • Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
  • 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.
  • Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with a generous leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day's 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

As Junior Buyer - Retail FMCG, you will:

  • Support the full buying process across your category.
  • Monitor sales performance and use insights to drive decisions.
  • Manage product samples, pricing strategies, and supplier relationships.
  • Plan and implement new ranges across stores and formats.
  • Collaborate with Merchandising, VM, and Supply Chain teams.
  • Deliver strong commercial results using data, insight, and creativity.

Skills and Knowledge

We are looking for someone with:

  • Previous experience in a Junior Buyer role in a retail environment.
  • Ideally previous experience of FMCG retail buying.
  • Commercial awareness and passion for products.
  • Strong Excel and analytical skills.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
  • Ability to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced retail environment.
  • Full UK driving licence as the role occasionally involves visiting suppliers.

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 650 stores and nearly 13,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings. At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers. Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham employer: Poundland

Poundland is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a comprehensive induction plan and in-house development programmes to enhance your buying expertise. With a supportive work culture that values collaboration and customer satisfaction, you will enjoy benefits such as flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and exclusive discounts, all while contributing to a mission that impacts millions of customers across the UK.
Poundland

Contact Detail:

Poundland Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the FMCG retail space, especially those who work at Poundland. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Poundland's values and recent news. Show us you care about our customers and colleagues by aligning your answers with our core behaviours.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Junior Buyer, you'll need to be confident in discussions. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen your abilities before the big day.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Poundland.

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham

Buying Expertise
Supplier Negotiation
Sales Analysis
Range Planning
Sample Management
Commercial Awareness
Excel Skills
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Abilities
Ability to Thrive in Fast-Paced Environment
Data-Driven Decision Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Buyer role. Highlight any relevant experience in FMCG retail and showcase your analytical skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for buying and how you align with our core behaviours. Let us know why you’re excited about the opportunity at Poundland.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your Excel and communication skills in your application. We love candidates who can analyse data and negotiate effectively, so make sure these skills stand out!

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 hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Poundland

✨Know Your Products

Before the interview, dive deep into the products that Poundland offers, especially in the FMCG category. Familiarise yourself with current trends and popular items. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your commercial awareness.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Since the role requires strong Excel and analytical skills, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of sales analysis or range planning you've done, as this will highlight your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Poundland values teamwork, so be ready to share experiences where you collaborated with others, whether in negotiations or product management. Highlight how you care for colleagues and contribute to a supportive workplace, aligning with their core behaviours.

✨Prepare Questions

Have a few thoughtful questions ready about the role and the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if Poundland is the right fit for you. Ask about their approach to supplier relationships or how they measure success in the Junior Buyer role.

Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail in Birmingham
Poundland
Location: Birmingham
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