At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product selection and pricing strategies to boost sales and customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join Argos, a leading digital retailer shaping the future of shopping.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team influencing major brands and products.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail buying and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Fixed-Term Assignment
Business area: Argos
Closing date: 10 August 2026
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.
About the team
Argos Commercial & Digital is focused on building customer-led, commercially strong ranges that help customers find great products at the right value, across digital and store channels. As part of the wider Buying team, you will work with expert colleagues across Merchandising, Digital, Marketing, Finance, Product Development, Technical and Global Sourcing, as well as major supplier and brand partners. It is a fast-paced, insight-led environment where strong commercial judgement, collaboration and ownership make a real difference to category performance.
More about the role
As a Buyer, you will translate and execute the category strategy for your assigned ranges, owning key parts of the buying process and helping deliver profitable growth. You will support the delivery of agreed category KPIs, including sales, margin, stock, availability, digital performance and customer satisfaction, while ensuring the range and proposition remain competitive, commercially effective and customer focused.
Day to day, you will use market, customer, competitor and supplier insight to shape range plans, pricing decisions, promotional activity and supplier business plans. You will work closely with Merchandising and cross-functional teams to phase budgets, update forecasts and deliver trading plans. You will also build strong relationships with suppliers and large brands, lead or support negotiations, manage supplier-funded activity, and guide Assistant Buyers and operational support teams to maintain pace, accuracy and compliance.
More about you
- You will bring buying experience from a retail or consumer goods environment, with the commercial confidence to make decisions using trading performance, financial metrics and customer insight.
- You do not need specific TV category experience, but you should be comfortable working with large, established brands and managing supplier conversations where there may be competing priorities or challenging negotiations.
- You will be a collaborative and credible communicator who can influence across teams and levels, balance short-term trading needs with longer-term category plans, and take ownership in a fast-moving environment.
- You will also be confident analysing complex data, identifying market opportunities and working cross-functionally to turn insight into practical commercial actions.
Buying experience with accountability for delivering a product range, category plan or supplier plan in a retail or consumer goods environment.
Ability to analyse trading, customer, competitor, supplier and/or market data to make commercial recommendations.
Working knowledge of commercial and financial metrics, including sales, margin, stock, availability and profitability.
Experience managing supplier or brand relationships, including commercial negotiation or challenging performance conversations.
Experience working cross-functionally with teams such as Merchandising, Digital, Marketing, Finance, Product Development or Sourcing to deliver plans.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working.
When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
- Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day.
- We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
- You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 10% of salary, depending on how we perform.
- Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday.
- We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
- And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.
- Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Buyer - TV (12m FTC) employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and customer service are at the forefront. Employees benefit from competitive pay, night shift premiums, and a range of perks including discounts and generous holiday entitlement, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - TV (12m FTC)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - TV (12m FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
