Books Buyer - 12 Month FTC Buying Warwickshire

Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham.

The Works
. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion,
it all starts with you.

As one of our dynamic Buyers, you’ll take charge of our books category, owning the entire buying cycle from start to finish. Playing a key role in our vibrant Commercial team, driving strategy, spotting new product trends and building fantastic ranges. You’ll collaborate with suppliers, ensure ethical compliance and react swift to sales trends to keep us ahead.

As one of our experienced Buying professionals, you will have a proven track record of success. Ideally in a similar sector or category with a natural desire to make impactful decisions and drive value!

• Strategy, decide what should be in our range and why, identifying the best sources and driving a competitive edge in the market. Test and trial new ideas for future growth based on market data.

• NPD Briefing, identifying new product trends and work with creative teams to deliver unique products that keep us ahead of the competition.

• Selection, build excellent product ranges, balancing private label and branded products, and manage product exits with a clear change plan.

• Critical Path Management, review development trackers and flag any risks to ensure smooth progress.

• Trade, articulate performance narratives, react to sales trends, and take action to maximise sales and minimize risk, including promotional activities and seasonal space management.

• Trackers and Analysis, keep all trackers up to date and suggest actions based on findings.

• Supplier and QA collaboration, ensure product specifications are met with ethical compliance.

• Negotiation, negotiate trading terms and funding support with suppliers.

• Internal Communications, collate and produce internal communications, presentations and sign-off packs.

• Coaching and Development, coach and develop junior team members, embodying what good looks like as a Buyer.

• Influencing Skills, understand your impact on others an develop influencing skills accordingly.

• Leadership, lead your product area with all internal stakeholders, guiding them through the full buying process and ensuring they have the information they need at each stage.

• Board Presentations, present to Board members for their sign-off, consistently completely all required sign-off packs.

• Additional Responsibilities, set budgets, engage in strategic sourcing, provide challenging feedback when necessary, and conduct store and web reviews, including working with a ‘buddy’ AM to understand operational issues.

• Leadership skills:
  To manage a Junior Buyer / Buying Assistant

• Product Development: Sourcing experience across own label and brands/licenses

• Attention to Detail: You have a forensic attention to detail to help us get things right the first time passionate and able to analyse data. Highly organised, decision maker

• Colleague-Focused Approach
  :
  You prioritise making things easier for our colleagues, clearly explaining the why, how, what, and when

• Influence and Challenge
  :
  You can influence and constructively challenge when necessary to ensure we do the right thing

• Initiative and Passionate
  :
  You use your initiative and have the energy and passion to make things happen. Problem solving and innovative thinking

• Teamwork and Collaboration
  :
  You believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration as the best way to achieve results

• Networking and Relationships
  :
  You understand the importance of networking and building strong relationships and stakeholder management

• Negotiation Skills
  :
  Hone and flex style of approach

• Self-Starter
  :
  Committed to driving your own…