BUYING MANAGER – GREETINGS CARDSBased; Swindon (3 days per week, 2 from home)Grade; D+ plus car allowance and private medicalThe 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 Trading team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.We now have an exciting opportunity for a Buying Manager to join our High Street Greeting Cards Trading team at our Support Centre in Swindon.The Greetings Card category is worth over £40m in the High St Business and delivers a remarkably high profit margin, making it one of the most important categories in the business. It is a complex area demanding high levels of commercial understanding, alongside close and careful supplier relationship management.The main purpose of a Buying Manager is to lead and drive the commercial agenda. You will have full accountability and an opportunity to shape the future of the business through your team of buyers.What you will be doingDeveloping and leading a high performing team – providing guidance and coaching to bring out the best in your peopleComplete P&L ownership of the budget for your category with a focus on net profitability. Budgets for sales/contribution/margin, costs, capex, incomeUnderstanding the total business strategy & your categories role within it. Ownership of annual trade / category plan process. Full involvement in origination, trialling and development of ‘3-year-plan' ideasReview of longer trading outlook (6 months+), mitigation plans to hand (Plan B's), and engagement with wider business on developing trendsManaging your own category pricing including development of pricing elasticity trials where appropriateManaging detailed and complex trials and trials that cross beyond your own category, be the cross functional 'go to' for category/departmentFull ownership for department supplier income delivery & responsibility for reporting performance across business. Management of month-end processesHaving a long-term supplier strategy in place covering annual deals, payment terms, cost prices, marketing spend and conduct regular grow/hold/decline reviewsEngaging in and leadership of new store format developmentWhat we are looking forYou will have strong experience within relevant buying or commercial roles, ideally from the Greetings Cards industryA bold leader who holds the team accountable for category strategies and is passionate about delivering best in class results through the teamUnderstands the importance and takes a proactive approach to the development of wider trading team membersTakes an interest in longer term resource management (succession planning etc.)A strong role model across CommercialAn individual who has the ability to work cross-functionally to deliver resultsStrong business acumenIs a compelling voice of the business and category(s) externally (suppliers, landlords), and internally (stakeholders, stores)Leads and develops a positive cultureHow we reward our teamsHybrid working model from home and in the office4pm Friday finishFlexible Working25 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holidayFamily friendly leaveCompany pension schemeSharesave SchemeAnnual Bonus based on company and Personal PerformanceCompetitive salary plus car allowancePrivate MedicalStaff discount card for stores and onlineAbout usCelebrating over 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 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.WHSmith have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts since 1792. Across our diverse estate of over 500 stores on UK high streets, with our wide-ranging store sizes and formats, we sell a large range of products including stationery, greeting cards, art and craft, newspapers, magazines, books and drinks. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.