At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the branded home accessories category and develop strong brand relationships.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Very, a leading digital retailer.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days holiday, and a £1000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Assistant Buyer or Category Assistant, preferably in homeware.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us
We’re the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you’re high-performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you’ll 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. If you love making a difference, you’ll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.
About the role
This Junior Buyer role brings real ownership. You will lead and develop an Assistant Buyer while taking responsibility for delivering the branded home accessories category, working with some of the biggest homeware brands in the market and hitting key trading milestones. Working closely with the Buying Manager, you will play a key part in shaping the category strategy and how it supports the wider retail vision. The Home team has gone from strength to strength, built on brilliant brand partnerships and a collaborative way of working. But there is still scope to deliver more, so this role needs someone self-motivated and driven to land constant improvements on the category, to ensure we are giving our customers the best offer possible.
Developing your team is important here but so is your own growth. You will regularly step in for the Buying Manager in leadership forums, making this a brilliant opportunity for an established Junior Buyer ready to stretch and step up, particularly with experience in Home.
What you will be doing:
- Building and maintaining strong brand relationships in line with our values
- Communicating category performance clearly to senior stakeholders
- Deputising for the Buying manager in key leadership meetings
- Taking ownership and making confident decisions, even under pressure
- Leading face to face brand meetings, including negotiations and showroom visits and QBRs
- Owning end to end ranging decisions and backing up decision making with clear interpretation of data
- Staying close to market trends, competitor activity and price positioning
- Identifying and onboarding exciting new brands
- Creating range frameworks and brand plans alongside merchandising partners
- Contributing to cross functional projects beyond the immediate team
About you
Previous significant experience of operating at a high-level Assistant Buyer / Category assistant as a minimum. Previous experience within the home category preferable. Previous experience of working with brands preferable. Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment. Champions what is right for the business, team and customer. The ability to support and engage a high performing team. Solutions and delivery focused. Strong negotiation and influencing skills. Logical approach to thinking of innovative solutions. Ability to work on a variety of systems cohesively. Strong organisational, analytical and communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills.
Some of our benefits:
Flexible, hybrid working model · Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
£1000 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 are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.
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. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely. You can expect a one stage interview process for this position: 1st stage - A one hour face-to-face interview with the hiring team to discuss your skills, relevant experience and competency questions. This is also a great opportunity to find out more about the role and to ask any questions you may have.
As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities
We're building a culture of everyday inclusion, and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We don’t discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you need reasonable adjustments to apply, interview, or perform a role, let us know via talentacquisition@theverygroup.com. We’ll be happy to support you. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine brilliant colleague networks - including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) - that are helping us make Very an even more inclusive place to work.
Junior Buyer - Home (12 month fixed term contract) in Liverpool employer: The Very Group
Contact Detail:
The Very Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer - Home (12 month fixed term contract) in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Very's values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your past experiences relate to the role of Junior Buyer. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer - Home (12 month fixed term contract) in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the Junior Buyer role shine through! We want to see how much you care about home accessories and how you can contribute to our mission at Very.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in the home category. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this position, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure you articulate your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with the Very team.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, do your homework on the homeware brands you'll be working with. Understand their market position, recent trends, and how they align with Very's values. This will show your passion for the role and help you engage in meaningful conversations.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led or been a part of. Highlight your approach, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved. This is crucial since the role involves leading brand meetings and making confident decisions under pressure.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Brush up on your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your decisions in previous roles. The ability to interpret data clearly will be key in demonstrating your capability to own end-to-end ranging decisions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, category strategy, and future goals of the home accessories category. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values and career aspirations.