Junior Buyer

Salary: up to £36k 

Books Concessions Travel

London

Buying forms the backbone of our business and is incredibly fast-paced. By identifying trends and understanding our on-going success stories, this team ensure what customers want is on our shelves. It takes a flair for relationship building, negotiation and an analytical approach. We look for people who can deliver a variety of strategies to help drive sales and profit and who have an affinity with what we sell. Have you got what it takes?

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Junior Buyer to join our talented team based in our Travel Head Office in London. Reporting into the Bookshop Buyer this person will be responsible for our Concessions Books businesses in Harrods and Selfridges. The role requires a highly organised individual, capable of managing complex information and working with key stakeholders and landlords. The successful candidate will have strong relationship skills, as well as being confident when it comes to project management and data analysis.

What you’ll do:

You will have buying responsibility for Books across our Concessions businesses in Selfridges London, Selfridges Trafford and Harrods London. You will be responsible for selecting and developing new ranges working closely with store staff, landlords and the wider Books team. You will use commercial acumen to generate new ideas on how to grow sales, margin and income, whilst building up strong relationships with suppliers to deliver effective and profitable plans. Working closely with the merchandising team to ensure in store availability is maintained whilst managing performance within the budget.

You’ll utilise your analytical skills to deliver meaningful reports and cut through the information to identify any issues whilst keeping abreast of market trends and competitor activity in a fast-paced environment, to help identify new opportunities as well as changes to our existing offering.

You’ll need to engage and partner with other areas of the WHSmith business including Operations, Business Development, Marketing and Finance as well as key contacts at both Harrods and Selfridges.

Who we’re looking for:

Ideally, you’ll be from a Buying background and have experience of the books or publishing industry. We’re looking for someone who is creative, but also commercial, with a head for figures. Experience of relationship and supplier management is essential.

Our Concession stores have developed significantly over the past few years. Therefore you’ll need to have an entrepreneurial mindset and be looking for a role that has the scope to develop and make a real impact. If you’re analytical, calm and articulate, you could be the ideal fit.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll be at the hub of an incredibly fast-moving function and you’ll be trusted to make decisions that benefit the business. It’s a serious responsibility – which will seriously motivate you. You’ll thrive on the freedom and the chance to use your skills and will be supported with plenty of training and development opportunities.

What’s more, you can expect some rewards, including an achievable annual bonus, 24 days’ holiday (and the option to buy more), a competitive pension, the perks of your birthday off and an early finish on Fridays, and lots more!

To apply, please send your CV to: Samantha.Pickford@whsmith.co.uk