At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategies to boost sales and profitability in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Well-established UK retailer with a strong high-street presence and online business.
- Benefits: 34 days holiday, bonus, staff discount, life insurance, and pension.
- Other info: Opportunity to manage a team and collaborate across departments.
- Why this job: Drive growth and innovation in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting.
- Qualifications: Experienced Senior Buyer with strong commercial and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Quest Search & Selection is currently recruiting for a Buying Lead - Electrical & Home Improvement who will lead the category strategies to drive sales and profitability across both stores and online channels. You will be responsible for building branded, innovative, trend-led product ranges, managing supplier relationships to maximise margin, and identifying new growth opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity to drive growth in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial retail environment with a well-established UK retailer known for its strong high-street presence online & omnichannel business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own full P&L accountability for the category, driving sales, margin and cash performance.
- Own and execute category strategies that drive sales, profit, and growth.
- Translate market trends, customer insight, and trading data into actionable plans.
- Develop innovative, on-trend, and branded product ranges that excite customers.
- Continually refresh ranges using social media, competitor activity, and market trends.
- Build and manage a supplier base, negotiating costs, terms, and support to maximise margin.
- Identify and unlock new opportunities while proactively addressing underperformance.
- Line manage and coach a small team of Buyers and Assistants to achieve targets.
- Collaborate with Merchandising, Retail, and Online teams to optimise stock, space, and availability.
Key Requirements:
- Experienced Senior Buyer or Category management with a strong background in branded and non-fashion categories, including Outdoor, Furniture, Electrical, DIY, Tech, Hardware, Home & Seasonal, and Household.
- Proven commercial and analytical expertise, skilled in budgeting, forecasting, and margin management.
- Track record as a strong negotiator, building lasting supplier partnerships and driving profitability.
- Deep understanding of product lifecycle management within seasonal and fast-moving categories.
- Commercially driven, resilient, and comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.
Benefits:
- New head office location (please note this is 5 days a week in their south London head office)
- Close to tube station or subsidised parking
- 34 days Holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Bonus
- Staff discount
- Life insurance and pension
If this sounds like you and you are keen to apply for this Buying Lead - Electricals & Home today!
Buying Lead - Electrical & Home Improvement in London employer: Quest Search and Selection
Join a dynamic and innovative UK retailer as a Buying Lead - Electrical & Home Improvement, where you will thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will benefit from 34 days of holiday, a competitive bonus structure, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and creativity. Located in south London, the new head office offers convenient transport links and a range of perks, making it an excellent place to develop your career while driving impactful category strategies.
Contact Details:
Quest Search and Selection Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Lead - Electrical & Home Improvement in London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Quest Search and Selection, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Quest Search and Selection!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Lead - Electrical & Home Improvement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Quest Search and Selection, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Quest Search and Selection and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Quest Search and Selection that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quest Search and Selection
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
