Buyer - Consumer Electronics

Whsmithcareers; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail brand is seeking a Buyer to manage their Consumer Electronics category, focusing on Tech Accessories and Hardware. This role requires +3 years of retail buying experience and involves curating assortments, managing supplier relationships, and driving profitability. Ideal candidates will possess strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. The position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Hybrid working model

24 days holiday plus extra

Early finish on Fridays

Pension contributions

Staff discount card

Qualifications

• Previous commercial experience in a buying role.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively.

Responsibilities

• Drive the commercial performance of the buying category.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiations.
• Curate product assortment to meet customer needs.

Skills

Computer literacy

Stakeholder management

Strong commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Team player

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

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 International People team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be legally protected, compliant, and empowered to deliver their best work across our Rest of World (ROW) business.

As a Buyer, you will drive the commercial performance of your category across all our formats. 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. This role would be suited to an experienced assistant or junior buyer with +3 years experience in a retail buying role.

What you will be doing:

• Delivering and tracking against the key commercial KPI’s of sales and profitability
• Curating the optimum assortment for our customers that delivers on all our commercial targets
• Generating a continuous pipeline of value creating initiatives to deliver sales and profitability
• Being responsible for the category and trade plan that aligns to the overarching business plan
• Negotiating with and managing the supplier base, including a clear supplier strategy and the ongoing maintenance/improvement of terms
• Defining the pricing and promotional strategy for the category
• Product/supplier sourcing & development in line with strategy
• Delivering projects and trials within your own area with cross functional engagement
• Contributing to the annual budget building process
• The category is part of Consumer Electronics, specifically Tech Accessories (Power & Cables) and Hardware (Phones, Tablets & Wearables) working with the biggest brands in the market
• This role is responsible for the standalone InMotion stores across Ireland, Italy, Denmark & Sweden and WH Smith stores throughout Europe

What we are looking for:

• Previous junior buying/commercial experience
• Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)
• Great stakeholder management with the ability to communicate and influence effectively
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Strong commercial acumen
• Negotiation knowledge and skills
• Strong numeracy skills and ability to analyse data
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills
• Proactive and resourceful
• Great team player

How we reward our teams:

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus based on company and personal performance
• Hybrid working model from home and in the office
• 24 days holiday, plus your birthday off, plus Bank Holidays, with an opportunity to buy extra holiday
• Finish at 4pm on a Friday
• Competitive pension contribution
• Staff discount card for stores and online

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 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

For UK and International Travel, our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands responsible for essentials and technology in airports (including our InMotion stores), hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our office is based in a buzzing part of London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation, resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture at all levels. 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!