Junior Buyer

Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days in our Support Centre.

Why The Works?

10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Junior Buyer

We’re looking for a Junior Buyer to join our Buying team in our stationary and seasonal category here at The Works!

Your Mission

• Working closely in a B&M structure to exceed key KPI’s - sales, profit, stock. Building strong working relationships (internal & external customers) and be expert in your category.
• Customer Centric in approach, demonstrate competitor and market awareness to understand our customer base; includes regular store visits and working with our internal teams supporting the promotional calendar & launch events. Analytical work on pricing & ranging. Identify product & market trends to grow sales and profit.
• Range Development, understand and own the range planning procedure and implementation requirements from briefs to launch.
• Develop close relationships with existing suppliers and identifying potential new suppliers (domestic & FE), working far up the supply chain to manage supplier performance, in particular working with Sourcing & QA to ensure product quality is managed.
• Attendance at key trade fairs through the year with NPD at the heart of the role.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Able to thrive in a fast-paced trading environment with a passion and knowledge in the stationary and seasonal market.
• Commercial experience of 18 months/2 years essential, can demonstrate strong commercial acumen.
• Proven analytical, influencing & presentation skills.
• Confident, decisive, innovative, and creative.
• Highly numerate with high level of accuracy.
• Adaptable approach to working and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Full clean driving license/prepared to travel when required.
• Actively manage self-development programme to achieve Buyer potential (working objectives).
• Computer literacy to include working knowledge of Microsoft systems (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to multitask and prioritise workload alongside good time management.
• Always represent The Works in a professional manner at relevant trade shows, supplier meetings and internal meetings

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
• Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
• Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
• Wagestream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
• Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
• 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
• Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
• And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading. learning, creativity and play - making lives more fulfilled.

Our Values

We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!

#LI-HYBRID