Buyer - Bathrooms
4 days ago
Northam
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Buyer to take ownership of a key Bathroom category within one of the UK's leading home improvement retailers.\n\nYou'll be responsible for developing category strategy, managing supplier relationships, driving commercial performance and delivering innovative product ranges that enhance the customer proposition. \n\nOur client is one of the UK's largest and most recognised home improvement retailers, serving millions of customers across stores and online. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and customer experience, they continue to invest heavily in their product offering and category development.\n\nThis role sits within the Commercial team and offers the opportunity to lead a strategically important product category, influencing supplier partnerships, product selection, pricing strategy and commercial performance. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across merchandising, marketing, logistics and finance, whilst having the autonomy to shape category direction and drive long-term growth.\n\nThe business offers a collaborative environment, strong career development opportunities and a flexible hybrid working model based from their Southampton Office.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nDevelop and deliver the category strategy in line with wider commercial objectives.\nLead supplier negotiations, performance reviews and ongoing relationship management.\nSource and select branded and own-label products.\nDeliver trading plans through effective product and supplier management.\nAct as the category expert, providing insight and recommendations to internal stakeholders.\nInfluence wider group initiatives and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.\nPartner with Marketing to maximise promotional activity and customer engagement.\nSupport sustainability objectives through responsible product selection and supplier partnerships.\nManage pricing architecture and price index positioning.\nDrive sales, margin, market share and category performance.\nCollaborate with Merchandising, Range & Space, Logistics, Finance and Channel teams.\nSupport and manage team members where applicable. \n\nProven buying experience within a retail environment, with demonstrable responsibility for the Bathroom category or closely related product categories.\nStrong commercial awareness with a track record of delivering sales, margin and category growth.\nExcellent negotiation and supplier management skills, including experience leading commercial discussions and performance reviews.\nAbility to analyse customer, market and competitor insights to inform ranging, pricing and category decisions.\nExperience developing and executing category strategies aligned to wider business objectives.\nStrong stakeholder management skills with experience working cross-functionally across Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance and Operations.\nExperience leading category projects and delivering key commercial initiatives from concept through to implementation. \n\n£55,000 + competitive benefits package. \n\nHybrid role - 3 days in the office, 2 days from home\n\nEA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy