Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance and curate the best snacking assortment for our customers.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a globally recognised brand with over 230 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, 24 days holiday, and private medical cover.
- Why this job: Be a key decision maker in a dynamic environment that values creativity and innovation.
- Qualifications: Previous buying experience, strong numeracy skills, and great stakeholder management.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Based in Aldgate, London (3 days a week)
At WHSmith, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They’re the ones who go the extra mile for our customers and help drive our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can think creatively, act boldly and do their very best work.
We’re now looking for a Buyer – Snacking to join our fast-paced UK Travel team. This is a high-impact role where you’ll take full ownership of a complex, high-volume category, with the autonomy to shape strategy and deliver commercial success across all WHSmith formats.
The Role
As Buyer, you’ll be the key decision-maker for your category, driving sales, profitability, and innovation. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to build a compelling, customer-led snacking offer that performs across our travel estate.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning and delivering sales and profit targets for your category
- Curating the optimal customer-focused assortment to meet commercial goals
- Developing and delivering a robust category and trade plan aligned to the wider business strategy
- Creating a strong pipeline of value-driving initiatives to accelerate growth
- Leading supplier negotiations and managing long-term supplier relationships
- Defining pricing and promotional strategies
- Sourcing and developing products and suppliers in line with category strategy
- Delivering projects and trials with cross-functional teams
- Contributing to the annual budget and forecasting process
About You
You’ll be a commercially driven buyer who thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment and enjoys owning decisions from end to end.
- Previous buying or relevant commercial experience
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent numerical and analytical skills
- Confident negotiation skills and supplier management experience
- The ability to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Strong IT skills, including Excel and PowerPoint
- A collaborative team player with a passion for delivering results
What’s in it for you?
We offer a competitive reward package designed to support both your career and wellbeing, including:
- Flexible working, including a 4pm finish on Fridays
- 24 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and the option to buy more
- Annual bonus linked to company and personal performance
About WHSmith
With over 230 years of history, WHSmith is a globally recognised brand operating in more than 30 countries. Trusted by millions of customers, we’re proud of our journey and committed to building a better business for our people, our communities, and our planet.
Our head office, located near Aldgate Station, is home to an ambitious, collaborative, and innovative team. We thrive on pace, autonomy, and fresh thinking—making it a great place for people who enjoy stepping outside their comfort zone. WHSmith is proud to be an inclusive employer, where everyone is encouraged to be themselves and feel they truly belong.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Buyer (Snacking) employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer (Snacking)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. The more connections we have, the better our chances of landing that Buyer role at WHSmith.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching WHSmith’s values and recent initiatives. We want to show how our skills align with their mission and how we can contribute to their commercial success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our negotiation skills! As a Buyer, we’ll need to demonstrate our ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or family to build confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer (Snacking)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Commercial Savvy: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your previous buying or commercial experience. We want to see how you've driven performance in past roles, so share specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves analysing data and tracking KPIs, don’t shy away from showcasing your strong numeracy skills. Include any relevant experience with data analysis tools or methods you've used to inform your decision-making.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the Buyer role at WHSmith. Use keywords from the job description and align your experiences with what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Brush up on your key performance indicators (KPIs) related to sales and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've tracked and improved these metrics in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is a big part of the Buyer role. Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led, focusing on the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved. This will show your potential employer that you can manage supplier relationships effectively.
✨Understand the Market Trends
Research current trends in the snacking category. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact WHSmith's product assortment and pricing strategy. Showing that you’re proactive and resourceful will impress the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Effective communication and stakeholder management are crucial for this role. Think of instances where you've successfully influenced others or collaborated across teams. Highlighting your ability to work well with diverse groups will resonate with WHSmith's collaborative culture.
