Junior Buyer

Junior Buyer

Hybrid/Remote (Approx 2 days per week at our Support Centre)

About our culture
The Works is such a welcoming place to… well… work! Our atmosphere is supportive, friendly and inclusive. A second home-from-home where you can be your best and authentic you.

We’ve built an environment that’s busy, always moving, and full of energy. Yet we still make space to share must-watch TV recommendations and our favourite page-turners!

It’s the perfect place for people who know how to roll their sleeves up, get creative, and put their passion and imagination to work. If you’re the kind of person who is as ’crafty’, ‘caring’ and ‘can-do’ as we are, then this is the kind of culture for you.

About the role

 

We’re looking for a Junior Buyer to work as part of our Buying Team. This role is an opportunity for an experienced, commercially minded person to move into an area of transition and requires a high level of motivation to prove ability for a future Buyer role.

Key Responsibilities

 

• Working closely in a B&M structure to exceed key KPI’s - sales, profit, stock.  Building strong working relationships (internal & external customers) and be expert in your category.
• Customer Centric in approach, demonstrate competitor and market awareness to understand our customer base; includes regular store visits and working with our internal teams supporting the promotional calendar & launch events.  Analytical work on pricing & ranging.  Identify product & market trends to grow sales and profit.
• Range Development, understand and own the range planning procedure and implementation requirements from briefs to launch.
• Develop close relationships with existing suppliers and identifying potential new suppliers (domestic & FE), working far up the supply chain to manage supplier performance, in particular working with Sourcing & QA to ensure product quality is managed.
• Attendance at key trade fairs through the year with NPD at the heart of the role.

Desired Experience

• Able to thrive in a fast-paced trading environment with a passion and knowledge in the Art & Craft market.
• Commercial experience of 18 months/2 years essential, can demonstrate strong commercial acumen.
• Proven analytical, influencing & presentation skills.
• Confident, decisive, innovative, and creative.
• Highly numerate with high level of accuracy.
• Adaptable approach to working and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Full clean driving license/prepared to travel when required.
• Actively manage self-development programme to achieve Buyer potential (working objectives).
• Computer literacy to include working knowledge of Microsoft systems (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload alongside good time management.
• Always represent The Works in a professional manner at relevant trade shows, supplier meetings and internal meetings.

 

Behaviours

• PASSIONATE - In everything you do – a positive attitude, motivated and enthusiastic
• TEAM PLAYER – A collaborative team member who enjoys building and developing relationships with people.
• HIGHLY ORGANISED – You can prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.
• STRONG COMMUNICATOR - whether face to face, by telephone or email
• PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS – great attention to detail and able to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• INNOVATIVE THINKING – an entrepreneurial attitude and way of thinking ‘outside the box’ for opportunities.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS – You put the customer at the centre of everything you do.
• PROBLEM SOLVING – You proactively identify issues and their causes, coming up with actionable solutions.
• ANALYTICAL – You enjoy working with data, interpreting information, and making decisions based on facts.
• COMMERCIAL MINDSET – Proven ability to meet targets whilst delivering return on investment.

 

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

·       25% Colleague Discount!
Plus, exclusive Double Discount days

·       MyWorks
Exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!

·       Can-Do Academy
Instant access to further training and development to help you grow with us and develop your career

·       Wagestream
Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them

·       Share Scheme
Become a shareholder and own your very own piece of The Works!

·       24/7 support for you and your family
Through our Employee Assistance Programme and Retail Trust Partnerships; Gain free counselling, will-writing

·       Save As You Earn
Save directly from your salary

·       Long Service Awards
Cash, gifts, or holiday rewards

·       Recognition Awards
For outstanding service, customer feedback, excellent sales and more!

·        + Loads more!
Holidays, Pension, Life assurance and optional charity giving

Our Purpose
To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play – making lives more fulfilled.

Our Values
We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

A bit about The Works
We are working towards our ambition of becoming one of the most loved retailers in the UK and the go-to place for reading, learning, creativity and play. We believe in the importance of fun and fulfilment and taking time out to do the things you love.

With 525 stores nationwide and a strong multi-channel proposition, our mission is to offer a unique and enjoyable shopping experience, built on core principles of value, variety and quality.

We’re super proud to be certified as two star ‘Outstanding to work for’ via Best Companies for three years running and a Sunday Times 2020 Top 25 Best Big Companies to work for.

#LI-Hybrid