At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and curate gifting assortments for our customers.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a globally recognised brand with over 230 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 4pm Friday finishes, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with flexible working options and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Previous buying experience is a plus; strong communication and analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
As a Buyer – Gifting, you will drive the commercial performance of your category across all our formats for your assigned category and suppliers, supported by the Buyer.
What you will be doing:
- Delivering and tracking against the key commercial KPI’s of sales and profitability.
- Curating the optimum assortment for our customers that delivers on all our commercial targets.
- Generating a continuous pipeline of value creating initiatives to deliver sales and profitability.
- Being responsible for the category and trade plan that aligns to the overarching business plan.
- Negotiating with and managing the supplier base, including a clear supplier strategy and the ongoing maintenance/improvement of terms.
- Defining the pricing and promotional strategy for the category.
- Product/supplier sourcing & development in line with strategy.
- Delivering projects and trials within your own area with cross functional engagement.
- Contributing to the annual budget building process.
What we are looking for:
- Previous buying/commercial experience – desirable.
- Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint).
- Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively.
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Negotiation knowledge and skills.
- Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data.
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills.
- Proactive and resourceful.
- Great team player.
How we reward our teams:
- Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office.
- 4pm Friday Finish.
- 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.
- Family Friendly Leave.
- Pension Scheme.
- Sharesave Scheme.
- Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.
- Competitive Salary.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy).
About us:
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our business operates from two key locations. Our UK Travel and International office is based in a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.
Across both locations, we're an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration, and innovation. We foster an entrepreneurial culture where people are encouraged to take initiative, embrace new challenges, and help shape the future of our business.
At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
Buyer - Gifting in London employer: WH Smith
WH Smith in Lower Porthkerry is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises customer service and employee satisfaction. With competitive salaries, a pension scheme, and generous retail discounts, employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills in a supportive environment, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Gifting in London
✨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 WH Smith, 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 WH Smith!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Gifting in London
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 WH Smith, 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 WH Smith 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 WH Smith that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at WH Smith
✨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!
