Junior Buyer in Trafford Park

Job Summary

As the Junior Buyer you will have direct responsibility for the given categories (this is subject to change in line with business requirements).

You are responsible for the KPI’s of these departments whilst supporting on all other categories where necessary.

Assisting the Senior Buyer, you will support with product strategy and team management. Building relationships within the immediate and wider teams.

Product sourcing decisions will be driven by data, and you will have engaged the relevant team members cross functionally to develop superior quality, market leading product ranges.

A key focus will be given to speed to market striving to be first to market on the latest product.

You will ensure the Ultra LEDs customer sectors are at the forefront of any product development and ranging will be aligned with agreed business strategy whilst all actions and decisions driven and supported by data.

• Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities of Junior Buyer
• Strategic product ranging to optimise category performance.

You will have a strong understanding of company best and worst sellers and takes actions to maximise potential and minimise risk where possible.

• Manage KPI’s for accountable categories making sure they are meeting whilst striving to exceed category financial goals.

Monitors and maintains buying margin & gross profit on all accountable products to support overall business financial goals.

• Source and manage the product ranges from initial concept until launch, working closely with key stakeholders to optimise product opportunities and efficiently bring to market.
• Lead the planning and completion of key Critical Path milestone meetings (e. g.

Product Workshop, Range Review, Selection, Sign Off) for the given categories, presenting to wider Product Team, Heads of Departments and Managing Director, in line with department Critical Path.

• Engages and negotiates with suppliers to ensure Ultra LED’s has the best range and prices, in the market.

Demonstrates a strategic view of the supply base feeding back to the senior management team any opportunities or risks within the supply base from a pricing, production capabilities and performance perspective.

• Work closely with the offline sales team reacting immediately to ad hoc customer requests.

Adapting the sourcing processes when the business requires.

Quotations must be given within 24 hours.

• Support with sourcing strategy considering supplier performance and COO analysis in line with agreed business strategy. Always ensuring supplier set up process is adhered to.
• Negotiate favourable payment terms with suppliers.
• Attend trade shows with a strategic mindset always reporting back and acting on business opportunities.
• Understanding of British standards and legislation, working closely with our technical team to ensure all products ranged meet relevant standards and are in line with business policies.

Highlighting any potential risks.

• Report in weekly meetings, on product and channel sales as well as key customers. Utilise internal reporting systems (Brightpearl & Power BI).
• Carrying out data analysis to support with product strategy and day to day decisions as well as Competitor Benchmarking exercises so that you have strong market knowledge.
• Help implement and manage key buying processes, efficiency being key.
• Accountable for the critical path.

Support the Assistant Buyers with the management of the critical path, ensuring that all team deadlines are met & any potential risks are raised with Senior Buyer.

• Close use of our Technical Assessment Management & Product Inventory Management system to manage the product launch through from concept to sign off to launch.
• Accountable for the sign off, of product briefs for your department, ensuring the briefs cover all key features and benefits as well as target markets so professional, market leading listings can be created and products launch on time.

Work closely with the Marketing team to ensure new product launches have the optimum level of content.

• Present in Offline Sales meetings, provide the team with important information and gain knowledge of our customer's needs and requirements.
• Help to manage and coach Assistant Buyers.
• Taking on additional responsibility as requested from Senior Buyer & Head of Product.

Team, Processes and department Development

• Always strives to improve the buying operation and increase knowledge of own and related job functions.
• Work closely with senior members in the buying and merchandising team and makes suggestions for improvement for the team or buying function.
• Manage and mentor more junior members of staff, facilitating internal promotions and strengthening of the team.
• Actively looks to take on further responsibilities outside of their main product categories, working closely with the Senior Buyer & Head of Product to identify other areas of work they can drive and support with (projects and wider-function responsibilities).

Communication and relationship building

• Builds effective and open relationships with all members of the B & M and wider team.
• Support with reliably accurate work backed up by data.
• Ensures productive relationship between buying function and all other business areas to ensure goals are achieved, specifically with the merchandising, marketing, sales and technical teams.
• Can be relied on to deliver key information at the right time to the right people, and present where necessary in the absence of senior team members.
• A keen negotiator with strong ability to influence at all levels which will be demonstrated internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate on all levels including written, verbal with an understanding of what method to use when.
• Engaging presentation skills ensuring message is delivered and understood.
• More over the successful junior buyer candidate will…
• Be either an established Assistant Buyer who is ready to step up to a Junior Buyer or is already operating at this level.
• Be experienced in range building and data analysis.
• Be experienced in working with suppliers from different COO’s.
• Thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, pro-actively seeking to understand the wider business environment in which our business operates.
• 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 as requested by senior management.
• Preferably have worked with and has knowledge of LED Lighting products and industry.
• Be confident and enthusiastic, with the ability to bring energy and pace to the buying and merchandising team.
• Always be an ambassador for the business and brands.
• Build strong working relationships, internally and externally.
• Preferable have experience with managing an Assistant Buyer or Buyers Admin Assistant.