At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and build exciting product ranges to drive sales.
- Company: Market-leading retailer focused on exceptional value and customer experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the retail industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or category management with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire / Hybrid
About the retailer: I'm currently recruiting on behalf of a market leading specialist retailer committed to delivering great products, exceptional value, and a best-in-class shopping experience. They are looking for an experienced Buying Manager – General Merchandise to lead category strategy, build compelling product ranges, and drive commercial performance.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded buying professional who combines strong market insight with excellent supplier management and a passion for delivering products customers love.
The Role: As Buying Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that maximise sales, margin, and market share across a broad product portfolio. You will lead the buying process end-to-end — from range planning and supplier negotiations to pricing, promotions, and performance analysis. Leading a small team of 2-4, you will also work cross-functionally with the wider business such as merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and product development teams, ensuring the product offer remains competitive, relevant, and aligned with customer demand.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Range Planning
- Develop and deliver category strategies that support business growth and commercial objectives
- Build customer-focused product ranges across general merchandise categories
- Identify market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities
- Optimise product assortment to drive sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction
- Supplier & Vendor Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and brand partners
- Lead commercial negotiations on cost prices, trading terms, and promotional support
- Source new suppliers and products that strengthen category performance
- Ensure suppliers consistently deliver against quality, service, and compliance standards
- Commercial Performance
- Own category performance across sales, margin, stock turn, and sell-through
- Use trading data and market insights to identify opportunities and risks
- Develop pricing and promotional strategies to maximise profitability
- Monitor product lifecycle and take action to manage slow-moving inventory
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with merchandising teams on forecasting and stock planning
- Work closely with marketing to support product launches and promotional campaigns
- Collaborate with supply chain to ensure strong product availability and delivery performance
- Support product development and innovation initiatives where relevant
- Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop junior members of the team
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture
- Drive continuous improvement in buying processes and decision-making
What They are Looking For
- Significant experience in buying or category management, within general merchandise
- Proven track record of delivering sales growth and margin improvement
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Excellent commercial and analytical capability with confidence using data to inform decisions
- Strong understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, and retail dynamics
- Excellent planning, organisation, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment
What They Offer
- Competitive salary
- Performance-based bonus
- Hybrid / flexible working
- Career development opportunities
- Staff discount and additional benefits
Buying Manager in Watford employer: Rise Resourcing
Join a market-leading specialist retailer in Hertfordshire as a Buying Manager, where you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work culture that values innovation and excellence. With competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, and flexible working arrangements, this company is dedicated to fostering employee growth and development while delivering exceptional products that customers love. Experience the unique advantage of working in a supportive environment that encourages cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager in Watford
✨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 in Watford
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!
