At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive the Diet, Fitness & Drinks category strategy and identify new growth opportunities.
- Company: Join Superdrug, a vibrant and inclusive employer committed to health and beauty.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, staff discounts, hybrid working, and a company pension.
- Other info: Collaborative office environment close to East Croydon station with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health and wellness while shaping exciting product ranges.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying with strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
This job is with Superdrug, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Join Superdrug Head Office- Make a Real Difference Every Day!
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.
Our vibrant Head Office, based by East Croydon station is a fantastic environment filled with hundreds of brilliant personalities. At Superdrug, we aim to be the best in accessible health & beauty, loved by our customers for value, choice, friendly advice, service and fun. We're all about personality, we have fun, and we work hard to deliver That Superdrug feeling.
This is an exciting and fast-moving category covering Diet, Sports Nutrition, Fitness and Drinks, with the opportunity to shape the future of the range, identify new growth opportunities and respond quickly to changing customer needs and emerging health and wellness trends.
We're looking for someone who is commercially minded, passionate about health and wellness, and constantly looking for the next big product, brand or trend. You'll take ownership of the category, identifying new opportunities, building strong supplier relationships and delivering ranges, promotions and pricing that drive sales, profit and customer engagement.
You'll use customer, market and performance data to understand what's working, identify gaps and make confident commercial decisions. You'll work closely with Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain, as well as meeting existing and prospective brands to ensure Superdrug stays ahead of the market.
A proven background in buying is key to this role, alongside strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills and an understanding of the retail market. Experience within Diet, Sports Nutrition, Fitness, Health, Wellness, Food or Drinks would be advantageous, but a genuine passion for the category, a strong product eye and awareness of current and emerging trends are just as important.
- Own and develop the Diet, Fitness & Drinks category strategy, identifying opportunities to grow sales, market share and profitability.
- Develop, implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions, pricing and stock, ensuring they are aligned with the overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
- Stay close to health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and drinks trends, proactively identifying emerging brands, products, ingredients and changing customer needs.
- Identify and implement new product and brand opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving incremental sales and profitability.
- Use customer, competitor and market insight to identify range gaps and future growth opportunities, ensuring Superdrug remains relevant and competitive.
- Build strong relationships with both established suppliers and emerging brands, using appropriate negotiation strategies to secure the best possible commercial terms for the category and the wider business.
- Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, using results and learnings to optimise future plans and sharing best practice with peers and key stakeholders.
- Work closely with the Supply Chain team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, while maintaining strong in-store and online availability to meet customer demand.
- Develop effective internal relationships across cross-functional teams to support and enhance category objectives and performance.
- Develop, build and maintain effective external relationships with suppliers and brands to strengthen the Superdrug proposition and meet evolving customer needs.
- Act as the category expert, continually developing your knowledge of products, brands, competitors, innovation and wider market activity.
- Work cross-functionally to bring the category to life both in-store and online, ensuring our ranges are easy to shop, relevant, innovative and engaging for our customers.
A strong product eye with the ability to spot new brands, trends and commercial opportunities. Experience within Health, Wellness, Sports Nutrition, FMCG, Food or Drinks would be beneficial. Very strong commercial awareness, problem-solving skills and proactivity. Proven negotiation skills with the ability to deliver strong commercial outcomes. Excellent Excel skills and confidence using data and insight to inform commercial decisions.
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. Access to Wagestream, a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it. Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave, company sick pay, and pregnancy loss support.
Purchaser Fixed term employer: Superdrug
At Superdrug, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where beauty enthusiasts can thrive. Our commitment to professional development through in-house training ensures that our Beauty Therapists stay at the forefront of industry trends, while our generous benefits package, including competitive pay and family-friendly policies, makes us a supportive workplace. Located in Bangor, our team enjoys not only a fulfilling career but also exclusive discounts and exciting employee events that foster camaraderie and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchaser Fixed term
✨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 Purchaser Fixed term
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!
