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- 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.
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
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, you will drive the commercial performance of your category across all our formats. This role will be managing a category with scale and complexity, so you will need to have previous relevant commercial experience. You will be the key decision maker with the autonomy to deliver your category strategy.
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
- 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
- Flexible Working, including a 4pm finish on a Friday.
- 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family Friendly Leave
- Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
- Private Medical and staff discount
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.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.
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!
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Purchasing, Sales, and Strategy/Planning
Industries
Retail
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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.
