At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to buy and promote exciting deodorant and body mist products.
- Company: Superdrug, a trend-setting retailer passionate about beauty and health.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, staff discounts, hybrid working, and a company pension.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team making a real impact in retail.
- Qualifications: 3+ years buying experience, strong analytical skills, and a creative eye.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Why Superdrug? Passionate about Beauty and Health? Want to be part of an innovative, trend setting retailer? Our vibrant Head Office, based by East Croydon station is a fantastic environment filled with hundreds of brilliant personalities. We’re a team that puts our customers and our teams at the heart of everything we do. At Superdrug, we aim to be the best in accessible health & beauty, loved by our customers for value, choice, friendly advice, service and fun. Our success comes from our people – they make the difference. We’re all about personality, we have fun, and we work hard to deliver That Superdrug feeling.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and exceptional Deodorants & Body Mists Buyer to join our close-knit team based in our fabulous new offices right by East Croydon station. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate, driven and committed to a long term career in retail. The role will support in product selection, analysing performance and providing weekly sell-through reports, as well preparing for trade meetings and attending brand meetings. A proven background in buying is key to this role, as well as a strong understanding of the market. You will have experience buying brands, with a creative eye and an awareness of current retail trends. Strong commercial acumen, and superb Excel skills are key to this role, as well as the ability to work independently, efficiently and with initiative.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions, pricing and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
- Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies that are relevant to category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines; and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
- Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practice with peers and other stakeholders.
- Work with Own Brand team to develop and deliver Own Brand products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
- Working in partnership with the Merchandising team, agree merchandising strategy that drives and delivers right range in the right store; ensuring availability in store; and control of slow moving stock.
- Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
- Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximises profitability. Operate within Company pricing strategy.
- Working in conjunction with Supply Chain team, ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customers needs.
- Develop effective internal working relationships with cross functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance.
- Develop, build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Superdrug proposition and meet customer needs.
- Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business.
- Category expert – utilise and continually develop knowledge in category products, competitors and market activity to deliver increased category performance objectives.
What you’ll need to succeed
- At least 3 years’ experience as a buyer in a retail environment.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Strong commercial awareness, proactive problem-solving skills, and proven negotiation ability.
- Decisive and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and organisational skills.
- Able to prioritise, delegate, and manage deadlines effectively.
- Strong time management skills, with the resilience to perform well under pressure.
- A positive, can-do attitude and a growth mindset.
- Previous line management experience.
Here's what's in it for you
- 33 days holiday rising to 38 days with length of service (inclusive of bank holidays).
- 2 staff discount codes for yourself and a family member or friend.
- 30% discount on Superdrug Own Brand Products both in store and online.
- Hybrid working patterns available depending on role responsibilities with 2 days working from home and 3 days in our stylish, modern and collaborative office close to East Croydon Station.
- Company pension matching and bonus.
- We offer Stream - a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it.
- Being part of more! We are part of a group who work closely with Savers, The Perfume Shop and Three UK.
- We are part of A.S. Watson Group, the world's largest international health and beauty retailer with over 15,700 stores in 25 markets!
- Unrivalled Learning and Development programmes.
- Enhanced maternity/shared parental/adoption leave, company sick pay and pregnancy loss and support.
Come and be part of something special. Hours: 37.5 | 9.00am - 5.30pm - Hybrid working available depending on role responsibilities with 2 days working from home and 3 days in our stylish, modern and collaborative office close to East Croydon Station.
Buyer Deodorants & Trial and Travel in London employer: Superdrug
Superdrug is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where passion for beauty and health thrives. Located conveniently by East Croydon station, our modern office environment encourages collaboration and creativity, while offering extensive employee benefits such as generous holiday allowances, discounts, and robust learning and development opportunities. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values your contributions and supports your career growth in the exciting retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer Deodorants & Trial and Travel 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 Superdrug, 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 Superdrug!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer Deodorants & Trial and Travel 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 Superdrug, 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 Superdrug 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 Superdrug that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Superdrug
✨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!
