Buyer in Manchester

Job Summary

As Buyer you will have direct responsibility for a set of given categories (subject to change in line with business requirements), and accountability for the KPIs and commercial performance of these categories.

You will support the Head of Buying & wider team with product strategy and team management, building relationships within the immediate and wider team while continuing to develop your own commercial and leadership capability.

Product sourcing decisions will be driven by data, and you will engage the relevant team members cross functionally to develop superior quality, market leading product ranges, with a key focus on speed to market.

You will build a strong understanding of the differences in demand across Ultra LEDs customer sectors, ensuring the customer is at the forefront of product development.

Product ranging will be aligned with agreed business strategy, with all actions and decisions driven and supported by data.

• Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities of Buyer
• Own strategic product ranging across your categories, building a strong and growing understanding of the market, competitors and customers alongside company performance, taking action to maximise potential and minimise risk.
• Manage KPIs for accountable categories — including both Own Brand (Tagra) and Branded products — accountable for maintaining margin & gross profit within targets — escalating any deviation to the Head of Buying & Senior Teams.
• Use data analysis and competitor benchmarking to identify range gaps and pricing opportunities — translate findings into specific range or pricing actions.
• Own end-to-end delivery of product ranges from concept to launch.
• Drive the execution & planning of the Critical Path for your given categories whilst also being aware of the wider business expectations & cross-functional requirements.
• Lead the planning and completion of key meetings for accountable categories, presenting to the wider Product Team, Heads of Department & Directors.
• Present and interpret category performance in sales meetings — pre-empting likely questions on trend, margin and risk, utilising internal reporting systems including Power Bi.
• Build and manage supplier relationships for assigned categories, proactively evaluating suppliers and influence sourcing decisions with data-driven recommendations.
• Lead price and terms negotiation with suppliers, have awareness of the strategic and collaborative aspects of negotiation to ensure category objectives & deadlines are met.

Always ensure the supplier set-up process is adhered to.

• Work closely with the offline sales team, reacting immediately to ad hoc customer requests and adapting sourcing processes when required.

Maintain regular communication with the sales team regarding new product launches, range developments, pricing changes etc.

• Work with the Marketing team to shape the selling plan for your categories — ensuring products are promoted effectively across the right channels — and own the accuracy of product information on the website, keeping content correct, current and aligned with agreed positioning.
• Understand British standards and legislation, ensuring all products ranged meet relevant standards and business policies, and highlighting any potential risks.

Work closely with technical team to ensure strict processes are followed & improved where required to improve efficiencies.

• Attend trade shows with clear commercial objectives — supporting in the leading of key supplier meetings & follow up actions.
• Support the coaching and day-to-day guidance of Junior members of the team.
• Take on additional responsibility as requested by the Head of Buying & Product Director.

Team, Processes and department Development

• Always strive to improve the buying operation; help implement and manage key buying processes and contribute ideas for process improvement, gaining experience by shadowing and supporting wider project work.
• Work closely with senior members of the buying and merchandising team, making suggestions for improvement for the team or buying function.
• Manage a smaller team, building awareness of team dynamics and coaching/delegation skills, while actively developing your own leadership and commercial skills alongside the Head of Buying.

Communication and relationship building

• Build effective, open relationships with all members of the B&M and wider team and ensure a productive relationship between buying and other business areas (marketing, sales, technical).
• Can be relied on to deliver key information at the right time to the right people, and to present where necessary in the absence of senior team members.
• A keen negotiator with a strong ability to influence at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Communicate confidently at all levels — written, verbal and presentation — with an understanding of what method to use when.
• Engaging presentation skills ensuring message is delivered and understood.
• Moreover, the successful candidate will…
• Be either an established Junior Buyer, ready to step up to Buyer, or already operating at this level.
• Be experienced in range building and data analysis, and in working with far east suppliers.
• Have experience & be confident in negotiation and supplier management.
• Preferably have experience with managing an Assistant Buyer or Buyers Admin Assistant.
• Have a passion for product & trade and a real desire to make a difference to the business.
• Attend trade shows, training, meetings and other events at the request of senior management.
• Preferably have knowledge of LED Lighting or Electrical Products and the industry but not Essential – passion to learn is key.
• Thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, proactively seeking to understand the wider business environment.
• Be confident and enthusiastic, bringing energy and pace to the buying team, and always act as an ambassador for the business.