Responsible for sourcing commercial ranges and unique products that create a reason for customers to shop at Dobbies, as well as delivering the sales and margin required. Actively coaching, leading and challenging the team to deliver a product strategy in line with the Company objectives and customer profiles. Leading the Buying decisions and accountable to the Executive Team for delivery in your specialist area. As a manager and leader within Dobbies, showing strong team management skills, driving performance through empowering your direct reports and your teams to make the right decisions. Role responsibilities Understand trends and metrics to range product in line with customers’ expectations Develop supply base to achieve competitive advantage Work with Merchandising to Identify best practice supply chain and optimum stock availability Analyse consumer buying patterns and predict future trends Responsible for identifying risks to sales and profit targets and suggesting mitigating actions Regularly review performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels Working collaboratively with the merchandising team, manage plans for stock levels Present new ranges to senior team Own supplier relationships to ensure stock and cash management Meet suppliers and agree terms of contracts, managing and evolving Joint Business Plans (JBP’s) with key supplier partners Maintain relationships with existing suppliers and source new suppliers for future products Put in place basic rules of vendor management, allocation and price negotiation Attend trade fairs to select and assemble new collection of products Manage team budget, performance and other aspects of management Train and mentor junior team members Provide oversight to team, managing day-to-day issues and concerns, coaching and developing all team members, driving performance and deliver of the company goals through inhouse tools and ensuring all managed within company policy, procedures and processes. Takes the lead in creating a great place to work for everyone; creates a positive and engaged team through recognition, fun and inspiring others to achieve An effective coach with the ability to provide direct, honest and constructive feedback Who we are looking for Strong analytical skills Commercial awareness Creative with an eye for trends and future opportunities Excellent negotiation skills and ability to network and influence people Ability to cope with the pressure of having to make important decisions and meet tight deadlines Confident presentation style Drive and determination Numerical and IT proficient A passion for retail Empathetic, organised, empowering where appropriate. Good delegator and manager of individuals and teams Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better everyday. We bring a smile. We live and breathe gardens. We make it work for our customers. What we offer Holiday – enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time) Discount – treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance Pension – save for the future with our company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan Access to Wagestream – support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice Access to Retail Trust – seek confidential support, access to a Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our eLearning platform and development programmes Study assistance – invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications The little things to keep you going through the day – free tea, coffee, and milk Collaborative office space – with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events About us At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK. Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special. In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services. We champion garden living all-year-round. Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for, We’re committed to being a great place to work. We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success. Together, we make it work for our customers.