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- 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 get more out of life.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a £6,500 benefits allowance, 30 days holiday, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying performance sportswear and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ 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. If you love making a difference, you will love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.
About the team
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.
About the role
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 identified opportunities and 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 London 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 London
✨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 job openings 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. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Very team and making a difference for our customers.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager - Sports in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buying Manager role. Highlight your experience in sports buying and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about sports buying and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Sports Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends in the sports industry. Familiarise yourself with key brands and their product offerings. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your commercial awareness, which is crucial for a Buying Manager.
✨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 highlight your ability to manage and develop a team, which is a key responsibility in this role.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Brush up on your negotiation skills and be ready to discuss your experience in sourcing and maintaining supplier relationships. Be prepared to share specific instances where you negotiated terms that benefited both parties, as this is essential for managing supplier income effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Since the second stage involves technical questions, review your knowledge on range frameworks and brand plans. Be ready to articulate how you would approach these tasks in alignment with the overall department strategy, showcasing your analytical and strategic thinking.
