Buyer - Food to Go

About the Company:

An excellent opportunity for someone looking for a great launch into their buying career, ideally with some buying, retail or commercial admin experience.

About the Role:

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative, innovative in order to do their best work.

As a Buyer (Grade C), you will drive the commercial performance of your category across all our formats. You will be the key decision maker with the autonomy to deliver your category strategy.

Who we are:

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 11,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

For UK Travel our mission is simple - to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands responsible for essentials and technology in airports (including our InMotion stores), hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture at all levels. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver and track against the key commercial KPI’s of sales and profitability
• Curate the optimum assortment for our customers that delivers on all of our commercial targets
• Generate a continuous pipeline of value creating initiatives to deliver sales and profitability
• Be responsible for the category and trade plan that aligns to the overarching business plan
• Negotiate with and manage the supplier base, including a clear supplier strategy and the ongoing maintenance/improvement of terms
• Define the pricing and promotional strategy for the category
• Product/supplier sourcing & development in line with strategy
• Deliver projects and trials within your own area with cross functional engagement
• Contribute to the annual budget building process

Who you are:

• Previous buying/commercial experience – desirable
• Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)
• Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Strong commercial acumen
• Negotiation knowledge and skills
• Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills
• Proactive and resourceful
• Great team player

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus based on company and personal performance
• Hybrid working model from home and in the office
• 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Finish at 4pm on a Friday
• Staff discount card for stores and online