At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Outdoor Living category, managing product lifecycle and supplier relationships.
- Company: Fast-growing retail business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the chance to shape the future of the category.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and development in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in a high-impact role with exciting challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail buying, especially in Outdoor categories and sourcing from the Far East.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
A fast‑growing retail business is looking to appoint an experienced Buying Manager to take ownership of its Outdoor Living category. This is a high‑impact role covering end‑to‑end category management, including sourcing, supplier negotiations, product development, ranging, pricing, promotional planning and driving commercial performance.
About the role
You will lead the development of branded and own‑label ranges across Outdoor Living, ensuring strong value, quality and availability for customers. This will include Outdoor Lighting, Gardening, Artificial Plants and wider General Merchandise ranges. You’ll manage the full product lifecycle from concept through to store placement, working closely with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, innovation and promotional opportunities. You will be accountable for category sales, margin and stock availability, using data, market insight and competitor activity to shape and execute the category strategy. The role also involves managing supplier performance, resolving operational challenges, and collaborating with cross‑functional teams across logistics, retail operations, product safety, finance and design. There will be some travel required for supplier meetings, trade shows and store visits.
About the person
This role would suit an experienced retail or wholesale Buyer with strong General Merchandise expertise and proven success in Outdoor categories. Experience sourcing from the Far East is essential, along with a track record of developing commercially successful ranges. You will be a confident negotiator with strong influencing skills, able to build effective relationships internally and externally. You’ll bring a customer‑focused mindset, commercial acumen, and the ability to manage supplier performance while driving continuous improvement. Experience coaching or developing junior team members would be advantageous.
What you’ll get in return
A competitive salary is available, dependent on experience. You’ll join a business with a collaborative, hands‑on culture where you can make a genuine impact and shape the future of the category. The role is predominantly site‑based, offering regular interaction with colleagues, suppliers and wider stakeholders.
What to do now
If you have the background and experience outlined above and are ready for a new challenge where you can make a meaningful difference, please apply with an up‑to‑date CV.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager - Outdoor Living
✨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 Rise Resourcing, 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 Rise Resourcing!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager - Outdoor Living
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 Rise Resourcing, 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 Rise Resourcing 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 Rise Resourcing that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rise Resourcing
✨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!
