At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of buying and merchandising, from sourcing to stock performance.
- Company: Join wearegrip, a creative studio in London working with F1 drivers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, remote work options, and personal development budget.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a dynamic, sports-focused team.
- Why this job: Shape product ranges and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in buying or merchandising, strong negotiation and data skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We're looking for a commercially minded, detail-driven
Senior Buyer to take full ownership of our buying and merchandising function - from supplier sourcing to unit planning and stock performance.
This role sits at the heart of how we bring product to market - shaping ranges, securing the right suppliers on the right terms, and keeping stock flowing efficiently to hit revenue targets.
You'll work closely wih our Design, Fulfilment and Retail teams in a fast-paced environment, with clear scope to grow into a more senior retail leadership role as the business scales.
About Us
We are wearegrip, a London-based creative studio who work with some of the most exciting drivers in F1.
Our goal is to build the most distinctive personal brands in sport that capture the attention of fans, teams, and brands around the world.
Working hand-in-hand with each driver, we create and manage their personal brand across social media, branding, marketing, merchandise, content creation, digital, and more.
When you join wearegrip, you'll be working at the heart of our multi-skilled, fast-paced start-up and immediately have the opportunity to begin shaping your future within our highly motivated and passionate team.
- Your Responsibilities (but not limited to)
- Own product margin and stock efficiency as the key driver of store profitability.
- Understand the wider business strategy and translate it into product and category plans that push the business forward.
- Own the product critical path from sourcing through to delivery, working closely with fulfilment to hit key trading dates across the online store and global pop-up calendar.
- Develop and drive product assortments to create maximum revenue.
- Build and own the buy plan - deciding unit quantities and size/colour splits by option to balance sales opportunity against markdown risk.
- Manage the open-to-buy, phasing intake against sales forecasts and working with finance on budget.
- Work closely with the design team to shape the product offering.
- Lead the annual category planning process, and contribute to the wider trade calendar.
- Onboard new suppliers to improve product margin, quality and delivery reliability.
- Source, select and negotiate with suppliers to secure the best product, process and contract terms.
- Build and maintain a long-term supplier strategy covering annual deals, payment terms and target margins.
- Produce and maintain regular sales and stock reporting (weekly trade reports, best/worst sellers, sell-through by option) to inform in-season decisions.
- Monitor sales performance and stock levels, proactively managing product on order and replenishment to optimise inventory turnover, reduce stockouts and cut excess stock.
- Set and review pricing and markdown strategy in response to trading performance.
- Spot product and category opportunities through regular competitor and market analysis.
- Collaborate closely with marketing, design, brand, ecommerce and finance to accelerate growth.
- Manage and develop the Buying Assistant, building strong foundations as the team grows.
About You
5 years+ experience in buying, merchandising or a similar retail/product role.
- Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing favourable supplier terms.
- Confident reading sales and stock data to make fast, commercially sound decisions.
- Experience in merchandising or planning - comfortable building buy plans and unit forecasts, not just sourcing.
- Strong Excel/data skills for building and maintaining trade reports.
- Experience managing or mentoring junior team members.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, execution-focused environment with shifting priorities.
- Proactive, reliable and enthusiastic about growing your skillset in a dynamic studio environment.
- Based in the UK and able to commute to our Hoxton studio regularly.
- A passion for sport, culture or brand - and it's always a bonus if you're a Formula 1 fan.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience
- 20 days of annual leave plus a minimum of 5 days leave over Christmas and New Year
- 1 extra fully paid day off for your birthday
- Up to 2 days working from home per week
- Additional work from home days available on request
- Apple Macbook (or preferred) plus any relevant software and equipment
- Budget for personal skills training and development
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Buyer employer: wearegrip
Join a vibrant fashion brand in the heart of Shoreditch, where creativity meets strategy in the fast-paced world of Formula 1. As a Senior Marketing Manager, you'll thrive in a supportive work culture that champions innovation and collaboration, while enjoying competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth. This is not just a job; it's a chance to make a significant impact in a community-driven environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like wearegrip, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like wearegrip!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at wearegrip, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at wearegrip and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show wearegrip that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at wearegrip
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
