Buyer - General Merchandise

About the opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Buyer for the category, the Buyer will be responsible for purchasing & supplying products within the range. As a Buyer, you will build category strategies and ensure ranges land on time whilst managing stock levels and developing supplier strategies.

This role is a hybrid role, based from our Customer Support Centre in Walsall.

We uphold three core behaviors that guide all our actions:

Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.

Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What you'll be doing...

As a Buyer, you will be responsible for:

• Accountability for the category's performance to the Head of Trading & Senior Buyer, spotting opportunities and threats and resolving issues by working closely with the broader category team
• Purchasing and supply of all products within the category from conception to the bottom line 
• Ensuring products are in line with current and future trends
• Cultivating and nurturing relationships with suppliers to ensure we can offer customers amazing products at an amazing value
• Negotiating costs and delivery timescales in line with company budget and KPI's
• Visit factories to develop ranges, negotiate the cost of goods, exploring new markets in developing countries/economies
• Liaise with Merchandisers on the sourcing of product that meets promotional and seasonal activity

What you'll need...

• At least 3 years’ experience as a Buyer
• A degree or equivalent would be desirable
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Good numeracy and Excel skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage own workload.

What we can offer...

• Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in-house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue QUALIFICATION through our apprenticeship programme.
• Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Free On-Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle-free.
• Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
• Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in-store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.
• My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.
• Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.
• Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with a generous leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day’s holiday because we believe birthdays are important.
• Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.

About us...

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 900 stores and nearly 18,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings. 

At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers.

Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Our behaviours and the hard work, commitment and passion of our wonderful colleagues make it all possible.

We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we've created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises—a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!