Senior Buyer (FTC Maternity Cover) 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 Senior Buyers, you’ll have the exciting responsibility of managing a large product group, owning the entire buying cycle from start finish. As a key player in our vibrant Commercial team, leading the way and making a real impact will be your second nature as you contribute to our Caring, Crafty, and Can-do culture. As an experience Buying professional with a proven track record of success in a similar sector or category, your passion for making impactful decisions will allow for you to drive value and lead with creativity and joy!

• Strategy
  , determine what should be in the 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
  , identify new product trends that offer something unique to our customers. Work with Creative teams to deliver in line with our internal trends and create unique artworks for our ranges.

• Selection
  , demonstrate excellent range-building skills, articulate product selection, balance private label and branded products, and manage product exists with a clear change plan. Understand the cost of change and ensure payback for newness.

• Critical Path Management
  , review development trackers and flag any risks to BM & MM.

• Trade
  , with the Senior Merchandiser, articulate a clear narrative on performance and any variances to plan, including build-back opportunities. React to sales trend and take appropriate action to maximise sales and opportunities, and seasonal space. Manage markdowns and contribute in WSSI meetings to manage budget and OTB. Work with marketing to support all activities and drive agreed key products.

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

• Trackers and Analysis
  , keep all trackers up to date (Sales, Sell-through, KVI) and suggest actions based on findings to BM.

• Negotiation
  , negotiate trading terms and funding support with suppliers. Secure ad-hoc funding when needed.

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

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

• Influencing Skills
  , understand your impact on others and develop your 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 the Board members for their sign-off, consistently completing 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.

• 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…