Junior Buyer

Junior Buyer

Walsall Full-Time 28800 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Poundland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team as a Junior Buyer, managing product categories and driving sales performance.
  • Company: Poundland is a leading retail brand with over 850 stores across the UK and Ireland.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free parking, exclusive discounts, generous holiday allowance, and a health & wellbeing programme.
  • Why this job: This role offers hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment with clear career progression.
  • Qualifications: Ideal candidates have 2+ years in buying, strong analytical skills, and a passion for products.
  • Other info: Submit your application early as we may close the vacancy if we receive a high volume of applications.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.

We’re on the lookout for a Junior Buyer to join our Commercial team at Poundland. Based in our Customer Support Centre in Walsall for a minimum of three days a week, 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 to drive performance across your category (Pets & Accessories) - 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. This is a developmental role with a clear path to Buyer level - Ideal for a seasoned Junior Buyer or someone already operating at the Assistant Buyer level and ready to advance.

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.

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:

  • 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:

  • Ideally 2+ years’ experience in a buying-related role (such as Assistant Buyer or similar)
  • Commercial awareness and passion for product
  • Strong Excel and analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
  • Ability to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced retail environment
  • Experience in FMCG or discount retail is a plus
  • Full UK driving licence as the role involves visiting suppliers on occasion

About us:

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 850 stores and nearly 17,000 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. Our behaviours and the hard work, commitment and passion of our wonderful colleagues make it all possible. We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we’ve created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises—a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!

Junior Buyer employer: Poundland

Poundland is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a clear path from Junior Buyer to Buyer level within a supportive and dynamic environment. Located in Walsall, our Customer Support Centre fosters a culture of collaboration and care, with benefits such as professional development programmes, generous holiday allowances, and exclusive discounts, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a difference.
Poundland

Contact Detail:

Poundland Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Pets & Accessories category. Research current trends, popular products, and customer preferences in this area. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the retail and buying sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at Poundland. Building these relationships can give you an edge in the application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've monitored sales performance or managed supplier relationships, as these are key responsibilities for the Junior Buyer position.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your communication and negotiation skills during any interactions with the company. Whether it's through networking or interviews, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively will highlight your suitability for a role that involves supplier negotiations and collaboration with various teams.

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer

Supplier Negotiation
Sales Analysis
Range Planning
Sample Management
Commercial Awareness
Strong Excel Skills
Analytical Skills
Excellent Communication Skills
Negotiation Abilities
Data-Driven Decision Making
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams
Ability to Thrive in Fast-Paced Environments
Experience in FMCG or Discount Retail
Full UK Driving Licence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying or retail. Emphasise any roles where you've managed supplier relationships, conducted sales analysis, or participated in range planning.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the retail industry. Mention how your skills align with Poundland's core behaviours: Love Our Customers, Care for Our Colleagues, and Protect Our Pounds/Euros.

Showcase Analytical Skills: Since the role requires strong analytical skills, provide examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This could include sales performance monitoring or pricing strategies.

Highlight Communication Abilities: Poundland values excellent communication and negotiation skills. Include specific instances where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or collaborated with teams to achieve commercial results.

How to prepare for a job interview at Poundland

✨Show Your Passion for Products

As a Junior Buyer, it's crucial to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the products you'll be working with. Research the Pets & Accessories category beforehand and be ready to discuss trends, popular items, and what makes a product successful in this market.

✨Highlight Your Analytical Skills

Since the role involves sales analysis and data-driven decision-making, be prepared to showcase your Excel skills and any relevant experience you have with data analysis. Bring examples of how you've used data to influence buying decisions in the past.

✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios

Negotiation is a key part of the buying process. Think of examples where you've successfully negotiated terms or prices, whether in a professional setting or even in personal experiences. Be ready to discuss your approach and strategies.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

The role requires collaboration with various teams, so be sure to highlight your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you've worked effectively with others, particularly in fast-paced environments, and how you contributed to achieving common goals.

Junior Buyer
Poundland
Location: Walsall
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