Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Sports Buying Team to deliver exciting product offers and manage supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Very, a digital retailer dedicated to helping families thrive.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a £6,500 benefits allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry with top brands and innovative products.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying performance sportswear and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. If you are high-performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you will enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go.
We are looking for a Buying Manager to join our Sports Buying Team. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with some of the world’s biggest brands, across multiple sports disciplines as well as sport-style fashion. As part of The Very Sports Team, you will lead the team to deliver a product offer that our customers will love, whilst implementing the overall department strategy.
We have an exciting opportunity for an established sports Buying Manager who has experience and established relationships within the sports industry. You will report into the Head of Buying for Sports and Branded Men’s Fashion and manage a team that covers sport-style fashion, football, run, train, outdoor, swim, golf and racket sports. Day to day you will monitor department performance and work with merchandising and/or marketing teams to react accordingly. Meet with your supply base regularly to maintain strategic relationships, collaborate on joint business plans, review in-season performance and negotiate any identify opportunities and any actions needed to maintain good stock health, full price mix and intake margins. In this role the candidate will lead on annual trading terms and managing supplier income for the department, so experience in this is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership: Manage, motivate, train, and develop a team of buyers, fostering commercial acumen
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, merchandising, DCX, studio and logistics to align product launches and promotions with overall sports department goals
- Sourcing & Negotiation: Identify new suppliers, negotiate terms, and maintain strong vendor relationships
- Commercial awareness: Keep track of market trends, competitor activity and price positioning
- Able to deputise for the Head of Buying in key meetings
- Formulating Range Frameworks/Brand Plans alongside merchandising functions
About you
- Experience buying performance sportswear
- Excellent leadership and communication abilities
- You will be highly organised, analytical and commercially minded
- You can pre-empt potential challenges that may impact team or trading and take steps to minimise them before they arise
- Strong presentation skills: clearly articulate sign offs and category performance to Senior Leadership Team
Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment
- £6,500 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- LinkedIn learning access
- 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 is managing this vacancy directly. If successful, you will be required to undertake credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and, if required for your role, a DBS check. If applicable, inform the team of any matters to disclose regarding these checks, including any unspent criminal convictions.
What happens next?
Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you are successful. We will arrange a short call to learn more about you and answer any questions. If it’s a good match, we will share your CV with the hiring manager. The interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or remote. You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:
- 1st stage – An informal 30-45 minute video call with the hiring team to discuss skills and experience.
- 2nd stage – A one-hour formal task-based interview with both competency and technical questions.
As an inclusive employer, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments. If you would like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.
Equal opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. 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 provide reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Buying Manager - Sports in Liverpool employer: The Very Group
Contact Detail:
The Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager - Sports in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the sports industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Buying Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their product offerings, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise articulating your achievements and how you can make a difference at Very.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your commercial awareness! Keep up with market trends and competitor activity in the sports sector. Being able to discuss these insights during your interview will demonstrate your passion and knowledge of the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Very team and making a real impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager - Sports in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sports: When writing your application, let your love for sports shine through! Share any relevant experiences or achievements that highlight your enthusiasm and knowledge in the sports industry. We want to see how you can bring that passion to Very.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Buying Manager role. Highlight your experience in buying performance sportswear and any leadership roles you've held. This helps us see how you fit into our team and the unique skills you bring.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Sports Market
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends in sportswear and performance gear. Research competitors and be ready to discuss how Very can stand out in the market. This shows your commercial awareness and passion for the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and develop a team effectively.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Brush up on your negotiation tactics, especially if you have experience with supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss how you’ve negotiated terms in the past and what strategies you used to maintain strong vendor partnerships.
✨Prepare for Task-Based Questions
Since the second stage involves task-based interviews, practice answering competency and technical questions related to buying and merchandising. Think about how you would approach formulating range frameworks or brand plans, as this will likely come up.
