Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)
Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)

Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)

London Temporary 21600 - 36000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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The Very Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage the Leisure Department, overseeing categories like Cycle and Fitness.
  • Company: Join The Very Group, dedicated to helping families enjoy life with flexible payment options.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a £1,000 benefits allowance, 30 days holiday, and up to 25% discount.
  • Other info: This is a 12-month fixed term contract with a two-stage interview process.
  • Why this job: Great opportunity for growth, leadership experience, and working with exciting brands in a supportive team.
  • Qualifications: Ideal for established Junior Buyers or Senior Assistant Buyers with strong commercial awareness.

The predicted salary is between 21600 - 36000 £ per year.

Internal use only – Grade F

About Us

We are The Very Group and we\’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That\’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We\’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About The Team

The Junior Buyer will hold a level of responsibility for the Leisure Department covering Cycle, Sports Equipment, Travel, Camping and Fitness categories reporting into the Buyer Manager. They will own and be accountable for the management of the category\’s critical path, brands and trading calendar.

About The Role

Please note that this role is a 12-month fixed term contract

This Junior Buyer role takes on a great deal of responsibility, managing two Assistant Buyers. You will oversee category critical path and ensuring key trading milestones are adhered to. Working closely with the Buying Manager you will help the development of the department strategy and how it supports the wider retail strategy. The Leisure team has gone from strength to strength due to onboarding some new exciting brands and having great relationships we have with existing brands.

Whilst development of the team is fundamental, so is your own development. You will deputise for the Buying Manager in leadership meetings so it\’s an ideal opportunity for an established Junior Buyer/Senior Assistant Buyer.

More Responsibilities Include

  • Maintaining relationships with brands in line with our values
  • Able to deputise for the Buying Manager in key meetings
  • Liaison with senior management team, clearly articulating category performance
  • Able to delegate or take lead and make decisions under pressure
  • Face to face brand meetings, terms negotiations and showroom visits
  • Commercial awareness: Awareness of market trends, competitor activity and price positioning
  • Look to onboard new brands, developing relationships
  • Formulating Range Frameworks/ Brand Plans alongside merchandising functions
  • Wider exposure outside of the fashion team inputting into cross functional workstreams

Some Of Our Benefits

  • Flexible, hybrid working model
  • £1,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
  • 30 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
  • Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
  • Matched pension up to 6%
  • More benefits can be found on our career site

How To Apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you may be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS and CRB check.

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you\’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We\’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we\’re a good match, we\’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review, and then be in touch to move to the interview process. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person and remotely.

You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:

First Stage – a 20 minute initial call with the hiring team to find out more about you and for you to learn about life at TVG.

Second Stage – A 1 hour final stage, task based interview with the Hiring Team.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

If you\’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

About Us

We\’re The Very Group – home to and a 3,250-strong team of super talented people, all passionate about making good things easily accessible to more people, so they can live life well. We combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options that help people say yes when it matters most.

Equal opportunities

We\’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract) employer: The Very Group

At The Very Group, we prioritise the growth and wellbeing of our employees, offering a flexible hybrid working model and a generous benefits package that includes a £1,000 flexible benefits allowance and up to 25% discount on our products. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing Junior Buyers with the opportunity to lead teams and engage in strategic decision-making while developing their careers in a supportive environment.
The Very Group

Contact Detail:

The Very Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the leisure market, especially in categories like cycling and fitness. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commercial awareness.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the buying and retail sectors, particularly those who have experience in leisure products. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the position.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing teams or projects, as this role involves overseeing Assistant Buyers. Highlight any relevant leadership experiences that showcase your ability to delegate and make decisions under pressure.

✨Tip Number 4

Research The Very Group's current brand partnerships and product offerings in the leisure category. Being able to articulate how you can contribute to their strategy and relationships with brands will set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)

Category Management
Negotiation Skills
Relationship Building
Commercial Awareness
Market Analysis
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Project Management
Analytical Skills
Time Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Understanding of Retail Strategies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Junior Buyer position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in managing categories, brand relationships, and commercial awareness.

Craft a Strong CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your experience in buying or related fields. Emphasise any leadership roles, particularly if you've managed teams or projects, as this role involves overseeing Assistant Buyers.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the leisure industry and how your skills align with the company's values. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with brands or contributed to category strategies.

Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions related to your experience in buying, decision-making under pressure, and your understanding of market trends. Be ready to discuss how you would approach the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group

✨Understand the Role

Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Junior Buyer in the Leisure Department. Familiarise yourself with the categories you'll be managing, such as Cycle, Sports Equipment, and Fitness. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the role during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness

Be prepared to discuss market trends, competitor activity, and price positioning. Demonstrating your knowledge in these areas will show that you can contribute to the department's strategy and make informed decisions under pressure.

✨Prepare for Leadership Scenarios

Since you'll be deputising for the Buying Manager, think about examples from your past experience where you've taken the lead or made decisions in high-pressure situations. This will illustrate your capability to handle responsibility and lead a team effectively.

✨Engage with Brand Relationships

The role involves maintaining relationships with brands, so be ready to discuss how you've successfully built and managed relationships in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with negotiations or face-to-face meetings, as this will be crucial for the position.

Junior Buyer - Leisure (12 month fixed term contract)
The Very Group
Location: London
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