At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying strategy for diverse product categories and drive commercial growth.
- Company: Join Argos, a digital-led UK retailer shaping customer experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on continuous improvement and development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment with innovative products and strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in omnichannel retail buying and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 48400 £ per year.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Schedule: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Advertised Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
About the team
At Argos, we help customers find everything they need for their homes and everyday lives. Join the Argos Commercial & Digital team and help shape how millions of customers discover and shop our ranges across digital and store channels. You will be part of a collaborative commercial team that brings together Buying, Merchandising, Product Development, Global Sourcing, Digital, Marketing, Finance and Customer Insights. Together, the team turns customer and market insight into compelling ranges, strong supplier partnerships and sustainable commercial growth.
More about the role
As an Argos Senior Buyer, you will lead the strategy and performance of a large-turnover, multi-product category. You will own the category roadmap, range architecture, product selection and launch plans, balancing customer needs with sales, margin, stock, availability, digital performance and market share goals. You will use customer, competitor and trading insight to make clear decisions on range, pricing, promotion and investment across branded and own-brand products. You will lead strategic supplier relationships and joint business plans, negotiate commercial and marketing funding, and influence product and innovation roadmaps. Working closely with Merchandising, Digital and Marketing, you will create effective multichannel trading and promotional plans. You will also lead, coach and develop Buyers and Assistant Buyers, set clear objectives and create the conditions for strong performance, challenge and continuous improvement.
More about you
You will bring buying experience from a non-food omnichannel retail environment and be comfortable moving between long-term category strategy and fast-paced trading decisions. You can interpret complex data, identify a clear customer and commercial opportunity, and translate it into a prioritised plan with measurable outcomes. You understand the financial levers behind category performance and can demonstrate accountability for sales and margin delivery. You will be an effective commercial negotiator and relationship builder who can influence suppliers, global brands and senior internal stakeholders. As a people leader, you set clear expectations, address performance constructively and develop others through regular coaching and feedback. You will also understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of a buying function and ensure these are reflected in team decisions and ways of working.
Essential criteria
- Evidence of owning and delivering a category or range strategy in a non-food omnichannel retail environment, with accountability for sales and margin outcomes
- Evidence of using customer, market, competitor and commercial data from multiple sources to make range, pricing, promotion or trading decisions
- Experience leading commercial negotiations and strategic supplier relationships, including joint business planning, funding or performance targets
- Experience leading, coaching and performance-managing Buyers, Assistant Buyers or an equivalent commercial team against clear objectives
- Working knowledge of legal and ethical requirements relevant to buying, including competition law, anti-bribery and corruption, and intellectual property
At Argos, we’re a digital-led UK retailer that keeps pushing boundaries to meet every generation with what they want, how and when they want it. As a market leader in general merchandise, serving millions of customers through our website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect services, we offer real opportunities to learn, grow and shape your career. With roles spanning Commercial, Buying, Merchandising, Design and Supply Chain, through to Digital, Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, and People and Transformation, you will work with brilliant colleagues and directly shape how we serve our customers every day. From enabling inspiring choice across our owned brands, including Habitat, Chad Valley and Bush, alongside the world’s biggest brands like Apple, Lego, Xbox and Samsung, to making shopping effortlessly convenient, championing trusted value and accelerating our strategy - Argos is an exciting place to build your future.
Senior Buyer - Small Domestic Appliances in Vauxhall employer: Sainsbury's Bank
As a Programme Manager at our company, you'll be part of a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to driving large-scale transformation initiatives within the logistics sector. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, offers flexible working arrangements, and provides an extensive range of benefits including generous discounts, performance-related bonuses, and comprehensive healthcare options. Join us to not only advance your career but also contribute to meaningful projects that impact millions of customers every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Small Domestic Appliances in Vauxhall
✨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 Sainsbury's Bank, 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 Sainsbury's Bank!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Small Domestic Appliances in Vauxhall
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 Sainsbury's Bank, 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 Sainsbury's Bank 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 Sainsbury's Bank that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Bank
✨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!
