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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in driving the buying strategy for impulse products.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a trusted brand with over 230 years of history and global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, 25 days holiday, and private medical coverage.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our High Street business while fostering a creative and collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in buying or commercial roles, ideally in Food/FMCG.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
BUYING MANAGER – Impulse
Based; Swindon (hybrid working)
Salary; competitive plus car allowance and private medical
The Role
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 Trading team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a Buying Manager to join our High Street Impulse Trading team at our Support Centre in Swindon.
This category has been identified as a future growth engine of our High Street business and as the Impulse Buying Manager you will play a pivotal role in leading this high-profile category and team across Drinks, Confectionery, Snacking, Batteries, Tobacco and Vaping. Shaping our category strategy and unlocking ‘’one more item in the customers basket’’, ensuring we are ‘’Ranging the Nations Favourites’’ and unlocking Value for our customers, Driving NPD and dealing with large FMCG suppliers such as MDLZ, Mars, CCEP and Britvic.
The main purpose of a Buying Manager is to lead and drive the commercial agenda. You will have full accountability and an opportunity to shape the future of the business through your team of buyers.
What you will be doing
- Developing and leading a high performing team – providing guidance and coaching to bring out the best in your people
- Complete P&L ownership of the budget for your category with a focus on net profitability. Budgets for sales/contribution/margin, costs, capex, income
- Understanding the total business strategy & your categories role within it. Ownership of annual trade / category plan process. Full involvement in origination, trialling and development of ‘3-year-plan' ideas
- Review of longer trading outlook (6 months+), mitigation plans to hand (Plan B's), and engagement with wider business on developing trends
- Managing your own category pricing including development of pricing elasticity trials where appropriate
- Managing detailed and complex trials and trials that cross beyond your own category, be the cross functional 'go to' for category/department
- Full ownership for department supplier income delivery & responsibility for reporting performance across business. Management of month-end processes
- Having a long-term supplier strategy in place covering annual deals, payment terms, cost prices, marketing spend and conduct regular grow/hold/decline reviews
- Engaging in and leadership of new store format development
What we are looking for
- You will have strong experience within relevant buying or commercial roles, ideally from a Food/FMCG buying/manufacturing background.
- A bold leader who holds the team accountable for category strategies and is passionate about delivering best in class results through the team
- Understands the importance and takes a proactive approach to the development of wider trading team members
- Takes an interest in longer term resource management (succession planning etc.)
- A strong role model across Commercial
- An individual who has the ability to work cross-functionally to deliver results
- Strong business acumen
- Is a compelling voice of the business and category(s) externally (suppliers, landlords), and internally (stakeholders, stores)
- Leads and develops a positive culture
How we reward our teams
- Hybrid working model from home and in the office (2 days in the office/ week)
- 4pm Friday finish
- Flexible Working
- 25 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family friendly leave
- Company pension scheme
- Sharesave Scheme
- Annual Bonus based on company and Personal Performance
- Competitive salary plus car allowance
- Private Medical
- Staff discount card for stores and online
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 12,000 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 have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts since 1792. Across our diverse estate of over 500 stores on UK high streets, with our wide-ranging store sizes and formats, we sell a large range of products including stationery, greeting cards, art and craft, newspapers, magazines, books and drinks. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
Buying Manager employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the FMCG landscape, especially in the categories mentioned like Drinks, Confectionery, and Snacking. Understanding current trends and consumer preferences will help you stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the buying and trading sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the Buying Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully developed a team or drove a commercial agenda. Be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your ability to lead and inspire.
✨Tip Number 4
Research WHSmith’s recent initiatives and strategies in the impulse buying category. Being knowledgeable about their current projects will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying or commercial roles, especially within the Food/FMCG sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to drive category strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with WHSmith's goals, particularly in leading high-performing teams and managing P&L responsibilities.
Showcase Your Business Acumen: Provide examples of how you've successfully managed budgets, developed pricing strategies, or engaged with suppliers in previous roles. This will demonstrate your strong business acumen and ability to deliver results.
Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Emphasize any experience you have working cross-functionally. WHSmith values collaboration, so mention instances where you've worked with different departments to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Buying Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully guided teams in the past. Highlight your ability to coach and develop others.
✨Understand the Category Strategy
Familiarize yourself with WHSmith's category strategy, especially in the Impulse sector. Be ready to discuss how you would shape and drive this strategy, focusing on increasing customer basket size and profitability.
✨Demonstrate Business Acumen
Prepare to showcase your understanding of P&L management and how it relates to the buying function. Discuss your experience with budget ownership and how you've driven net profitability in previous roles.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Teams
Highlight your experience working cross-functionally. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with other departments to achieve business goals, particularly in managing complex trials and supplier relationships.
