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Buying Manager

Full Time/Perm

Hybrid working - 2 days in the Milton Keynes, Stores Support Center each week.

We know we have some AMAZING talent at Homebase. Across both the SSC and in Stores, we have the hardest working and most dedicated team members across any retailer and we are so proud that each and every one of you is part of the Homebase family.

That is why, for this particular role we want to find our next BUYING SUPERSTAR from within the Homebase family and so for the time being are exclusively offering this opportunity to existing team members only.

What will you be doing?

Working in partnership with the Supply Chain, Marketing, Store Development, Quality, Operations, and Digital teams our Buying Managers are responsible for leading a team of Buyers & Buyers Assistants who are tasked with delivering an industry-leading range of products to both our store and online customers.

Through your excellent knowledge of our customer requirements, and thorough market and competitor research you are expected to lead your team and ensure that you and your team are able to offer a range that clearly differentiates us from our competitors and ensures consistent growth in sales, market share, and brand strength. You’ll make sure we have the right products at the right time, using your influencing and negotiating skills to build relationships across our business and guiding your team to ensure they are able to make sound commercial decisions.

Key Responsibilities

The Buying Manager is responsible for developing and implementing the category strategy, ensuring delivery of the sales & profit targets. Areas of responsibility include:

• Developing a multi-channel range and brand strategy.
• Understanding market trends, customer needs and competitor activities to inform the category plans.
• Delivery of the category sales and margin budgets.
• Developing supplier relationships to ensure alignment with the category strategy and optimization of product costs and trading terms.
• Setting the pricing and promotional strategy.
• Setting and delivering quality and sustainability standards, to manage customer satisfaction and returns.
• Working alongside the merchandiser to deliver the category stock targets.
• Supporting stock actions including; driving stock turn; negotiating pack sizes, MOQ’s/MOV’s; managing clearance plans.
• Managing overall costs to drive net profitability.
• Constantly identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Leading cross functionally to deliver the category plans.
• Developing and coaching the team.
• Presenting reports, figures & trend information to the Senior Leadership team;

Desired Skills & Experience

Work Experience:

• Proven experience in previous Buying positions, preferably within Retail
• A highly motivated individual with a passion for retail who will thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in leading and managing a team
• Experience in overseeing a key buying category

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

• A highly driven, experienced and confident negotiator with the ability to manage important relationships with some of Homebase’s largest suppliers
• Customer focussed
• A proven team player and team-focused manager
• Demonstrate the ability to work cross-functionally within a business
• Be able to communicate confidently & concisely to all levels within the business
• Excellent commercial skills, resilience and the ability to plan and work under pressure will be key to success in the role