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- Tasks: Support category management in grocery, gifting, and seasonal products through data analysis and relationship building.
- Company: Quest Search & Selection, a dynamic retail strategy leader.
- Benefits: Life assurance, 20% discount for friends and family, hybrid work, and learning support.
- Other info: Flexible travel opportunities and excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team to drive retail growth and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category roles with strong analytical and supplier management skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Quest Search & Selection are currently seeking a Buyer to support the category management team in delivering retail strategy for grocery, gifting & seasonal. In this role, you will be involved in range planning, planograms, promotions, pricing, and stock forecasting. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure stock availability, using data analysis to inform category decisions, tenders, and trading terms.
Key Responsibilities
- Supports retail growth strategy, partnering with Finance teams to manage sales, margin, and KPI delivery.
- Analyses data and market trends to inform category direction, range selection, and stock forecasting.
- Maintains product data, costs files, and implements planograms across categories.
- Leads end-to-end development of bespoke products, ensuring quality, margin, and timely delivery.
- Develops and executes promotional and seasonal strategies, including POS and digital activity.
- Drives commercial performance through trading analysis, forecasting, and stock optimisation.
- Supports store layout, space planning, and effective communication of range and promotions.
- Manages supplier relationships, tenders, and day-to-day coordination on range, delivery, and merchandising.
- Gathers customer insights to inform category improvements.
Key Requirements
- Working as a Buyer, Senior Assistant or Junior level in a Buying, Category or NPD role.
- Ideally worked in different categories within non-food or grocery.
- Experience in new product development, concept creation, and design.
- Skilled in range architecture, planogram development, and space planning/analysis would be ideal.
- Proven supplier management and buying experience.
- Good commercial awareness, including understanding of P&L, sales, and margin drivers.
- Flexible to travel to different sites 1-2 times a month (car & driving license is highly desirable).
- Able to balance customer, operational, and commercial priorities when developing strategies.
Benefits
- Life assurance.
- 20% friends and family discount.
- Hybrid (50% on average office based).
- Free parking.
- Learning and development support.
Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal) in London employer: Quest Search and Selection Ltd
Contact Detail:
Quest Search and Selection Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential employers on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Know their latest trends in grocery, gifting, and seasonal categories. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Employers love candidates who can back up their strategies with solid insights.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer (Grocery, Gifting & Seasonal) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in range planning, stock forecasting, and supplier management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data analysis is key for this role, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have with analysing market trends or using data to inform decisions. We love numbers, so let them shine!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit. Share specific examples of your past achievements in buying or category management that relate to grocery, gifting, or seasonal products.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Search and Selection Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of sales, margin, and KPI delivery. Brush up on key metrics related to grocery, gifting, and seasonal products. Be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis in past roles to inform category decisions.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Strong relationships with suppliers are crucial in this role. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships, negotiated terms, or resolved issues. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the day-to-day coordination effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Creative Side
This position involves developing bespoke products and executing promotional strategies. Think of innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles and be prepared to share them. Highlight your experience in new product development and concept creation.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to balance customer, operational, and commercial priorities. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to outline your approach to stock forecasting or range planning. This will help you showcase your strategic thinking.