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Job description

About us

Here at Hamleys we are all about creativity and magic. Our brand is synonymous with making children’s dreams come true. Founded in 1760, by William Hamley with a vision to be the finest toy store in the world, we are a true British icon – and we are growing fast! Because of this we have an exciting new role available. Hamleys is on the look out for a new Junior Buyer to join our head office.

Key Objectives

Creative and innovative with a strong ability to spot future trends. Enthusiasm and a love for the product range with a strong commercial and strategic approach is essential for you to be successful. Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills are essential to build a strong range, with emphasis on additional growth through promotion, windows, events and instore experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and deliver a category strategy, working across own brand development, branded ranges and with concession partners to achieve sales, margin and cash profit budgets;
• Establish a thorough product & market knowledge gaining a full understanding of the suppliers & competitors operating in the market place, identifying new product or market opportunities;
• Continually monitoring ranges and performance of products and reacting on any lines necessary;
• Analyse sales, cash and margin on a weekly basis by store level to understand how to continually grow sales;
• Source, select and range new product in both own brand and branded ranges;
• Write briefs and work closely with HK team and factories for own brand development;
• Working closely with the Global Product Team on product development and selection;
• Manage all product approvals to ensure timelines are hit on the critical path, including responsibility for all packaging briefs and the approval process;
• Cultivate exceptional Supplier relationships with planned negotiation for price and other partnership terms in order to maximise both margin and contributions to windows and promotions;
• Working closely with Merchandiser on forecasting sales and stock;
• Working with Space planning to deliver planograms to focus sales growth to ensure efficient/profitable range and space management with product fitting & maximising space allocated;
• Working closely with marketing & stores to ensure right launch for a new product range;
• Develop effective and positive communication with store managers and close relationships with the trading teams and carry out regular visits to the store; and
• To be adaptable to meet the ever-changing demands of the business.

People Management

• Work with and develop a buying assistant in the team, ensuring that support and training is given and allowing growth;
• Work with the Merchandising team to develop and implement key supplier agreements and growth plans;
• Support the QA team with meeting requirements on all required standards;
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively across multiple levels and departments;
• Support the relationship with Franchisees and keep strong communication relevant to product categories;
• Grow strong relationships with other vital departments within the group;
• Support the development of space planning within the business and ensure communication with store teams is clear and timely.

Personality

• Demonstrates standards of excellence;
• Uses initiative in situations and can work alone and also as a part of a team;
• Excellent inter-personal skills;
• Professional and logical approach to problem solving;
• Demonstrates a high level of professional integrity;
• Strong initiative and self – motivation;
• High levels of enthusiasm and energy;
• Innovative and creative;
• Ability to work to deadlines;
• Flexibility in approach to work;
• Promotes personal credibility through working productively;
• Works independently with effective time management; and
• To show a willingness to learn and self-develop.

Specific Job Skills

• Experience working at a Junior Buyer level for one (1) year or more;
• Previous experience in a retail environment;
• Proven adaptability to new product areas;
• Experienced at range management & presentation;
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (outlook/MS Word and Excel especially);
• Ability to analyse data on excel; and
• Degree educated, preferable in Buying, Sourcing or Business Management.

Benefits

• Discount on Hamleys products
• Additional Birthday leave
• Hybrid working
• Early Friday finish - on the last Friday of every month support centre employees finish work 2 hours earlier than their usual finish time
• Life Assurance
• Retail Trust Employee Assistance

Please note that due to the nature of this role, there may be requirement to work outside of normal office hours on occasion.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Buying: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London, SW1P 1DH