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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing the Greetings Cards category and drive commercial success.
- 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 a competitive salary with perks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a key business area while fostering a creative and collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in buying or commercial roles, ideally in the Greetings Cards industry.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values innovation and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
BUYING MANAGER – GREETINGS CARDS
Based; Swindon (3 days per week, 2 from home)
Grade; D+ 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 Greeting Cards Trading team at our Support Centre in Swindon.
The Greetings Card category is worth over £40m in the High St Business and delivers a remarkably high profit margin, making it one of the most important categories in the business. It is a complex area demanding high levels of commercial understanding, alongside close and careful supplier relationship management.
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 the Greetings Cards industry
- 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
- 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 Greetings Cards employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager Greetings Cards
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Greetings Cards market. Research current trends, popular designs, and key players in the industry. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about the category during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the buying and greetings card sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight specific examples where you drove results through effective coaching and accountability.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand WHSmith's business model and values. Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success in the Greetings Cards category.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager Greetings Cards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Buying Manager position. Highlight key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect relevant experience in buying or commercial roles, particularly in the Greetings Cards industry. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and commercial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Discuss your understanding of the Greetings Cards market and how you can contribute to WHSmith's success.
Highlight Team Leadership Experience: Emphasize any previous experience in leading teams and driving performance. Provide examples of how you've developed team members and achieved results through collaboration.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Showcase 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.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Understand the financial aspects of the role, including P&L ownership and budget management. Be ready to discuss how you have previously managed budgets and contributed to profitability in your past roles.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working across various departments. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with other teams to achieve common goals, and be ready to share these experiences during the interview.
✨Know the Greetings Cards Market
Familiarize yourself with current trends and challenges in the greetings cards industry. Being knowledgeable about the market will show your passion and commitment to the role, making you a more compelling candidate.
