The 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 Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
As a Buyer (Grade D), you will drive the commercial performance of your category across all our formats and food service propositions. This role will be managing a category with scale and complexity, so you will need to have previous relevant commercial experience. You will be the key decision maker with the autonomy to deliver your category strategy.
What you will be doing
1. Drive the buying and selling strategy to ensure high-quality ‘Coffee Shop’ products that meet customer satisfaction while contributing to sales growth and cash profit.
2. Lead the optimisation of the range strategy, collaborating cross-functionally to review product, identify improvement opportunities, and develop new offerings as well as cost-saving initiatives.
3. By leveraging your commercial acumen, analytical skills, and effective communication, you will make key decisions, influence stakeholders, and utilise data-driven insights to shape a leading product range with a pricing and promotional strategy to drive penetration and conversion.
4. Managing supplier relationships, guiding projects to successful outcomes.
5. Line manage a Buyer or Buyers Assistant to meet team objectives will be integral to your responsibilities, contributing to the team's overall success and enhancing the customer experience.
What we are looking for
1. Previous buying/commercial experience in food buying – necessary
2. Previous experience in food service – desirable
3. Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint essential)
4. Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively
5. Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
6. Strong commercial acumen
7. Negotiation knowledge and skills
8. Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data
9. Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills
10. Proactive and resourceful
11. Great team player
About us
Celebrating 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.
Our UK Travel office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.
At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
#J-18808-Ljbffr