Senior Buying Manager

Senior Buyer, Jollyes The Pet People - based Waltham Abbey (hybrid). Salary c £65-70k p.a. + many benefits. Owning the full end to end product solution for each category in our award winning omnichannel pet retail business. (Categories incl pet food, accessories, clothing), product and supplier selection, financial performance analysis, and leading the buying team with a collaborative and proactive approach.

The Benefits In return for your skills and experience as a Senior Buyer, we offer you the following:

• Competitive salary of c £65-70k p.a. (depending on experience)
• Generous 30-50% colleague discount on products and 20% on additional services (e.g. dog grooming, community pet clinic)
• 'Treats' Employee Reward Scheme (discounts and cash back on hundreds of retailers and service providers)
• 'We Care' Employee Assistance Programme (discounts and cash back on various medical & mental health services)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional paid leave for your wedding or civil partnership, new pet's 1st day, long service and your birthday off!
• Cycle2Work scheme - up to 47% off a new bike and accessories with Halfords
• Retail Trust membership for lots of wellbeing, financial and counselling support

Further benefits on completion of probationary period:

• Critical Illness & Life Assurance schemes
• Private Medical Insurance
• Company pension scheme

The Role - Senior Buyer This role sits within our Commercial team. Our Senior Buyer will be working cross-functionally with key business functions and stakeholders. Responsible for the financial performance, product and supplier selection of specified sections or categories across our pet range with measurement criteria across nett sales, margin, market share, range proposition, stock holding, inbound service levels and quality returns / complaints.

A full job description is available on request, but to summarise your key responsibilities:

• Working closely with your merchandising colleagues to own the full end to end product solution for each category from sourcing, ranging, service, store, online presentation through to exit.
• Build effective communications for retail teams to share the rationale and details of new product launches
• Source new supplier opportunities and supply routes, presenting range and propositions to the Trading Director
• Successful supplier negotiations to achieve the best price point for our customers with regular review of market pricing and keeping abreast of competitor activity, market trends and insights.
• Supplier performance reviews against KPIs and managing any issues
• Creating category strategies, defining the range and associated margins, sharing category insights to the wider business.
• Working with L&D Manager to ensure colleague training for all new product launches and existing ranges
• Working with the Technical Manager to ensure we're safe and legal at all times, supporting industry regulation and compliance across all product ranges, carrying out due diligence checks as needed.

The Skills - Senior Buyer

To be successful in this role, you'll need the following skills, experience and qualities:

• Financially competent and able to demonstrate strong numerical skills including interpretation of data
• Organised with evidence of horizon planning, critical path management and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Analytical with experience of excel and power point.
• Experience of FOB sourcing and negotiating (relating to 'pet' accounts)
• Solution orientated, not letting challenges become barriers with a self-driven, proactive approach
• Challenges the 'norm' creating alternative plans and thinking with an owner mindset.
• Adaptable and can adjust approach to suit business needs regardless of scale or company hierarchy
• An animal lover whether an owner or just a pet friend
• Demonstrates integrity and diligence - will do the right thing when nobody is watching
• Team player who works collaboratively and respects the needs of the team
• Respectful of diversity, creates a environment which recognises and respects individuality
• Share our values of being: Wise, Focused, Genuine, Eager, Together

About Jollyes - The Pet People

Jollyes are an award-winning UK pet retailer with over 100 stores and 50 years of pet expertise between our paws. Winners of the Pet Industry Federation 'Best Pet Retailer 2023', Retail Week award for 'Best Retailer 2024' (under £250m t/o), and listed in the Sunday Times 'Best Places to Work' you really can be sure you're joining a great brand and employer, trusted by our customers and our colleagues.

To Apply:

If you're looking for a career with a company who will truly value you and recognize your contribution with some fantastic rewards and benefits, where you can really make a difference, click to apply today!

Respectfully no agencies please