Junior Buyer - FMCG Retail

Poundland Far East Limited; Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a Junior Buyer to join their Commercial team in Walsall. This position offers a unique chance to develop your buying expertise in a dynamic environment, focusing on managing supplier negotiations, sales analysis, and range planning. The role allows for hybrid working, with the flexibility to work from home up to two days a week. Ideal candidates will have experience in retail buying and strong analytical skills. Join a firm dedicated to delivering exceptional value to customers.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Bonus potential

Free on-site parking

Onsite coffee lounge

Exclusive store discounts

Family-friendly benefits

Life assurance cover

Health & wellbeing programme

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Junior Buyer role in a retail environment.
• Ideally previous experience of FMCG retail buying.
• Commercial awareness and passion for products.

Responsibilities

• Support the full buying process across your category.
• Monitor sales performance and use insights to drive decisions.
• Manage product samples, pricing strategies, and supplier relationships.
• Plan and implement new ranges across stores and formats.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation abilities

Commercial awareness

Ability to thrive in fast-paced environment

Education

Experience in Junior Buyer role

FMCG retail buying experience

Full UK driving licence

Job description

We are looking for a Junior Buyer to join our Commercial team at Poundland.

Based in our Customer Support Centre in Walsall, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your buying expertise in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where your decisions make a difference every day to our customers.

As a Junior Buyer, you’ll support our Senior Buyer and Buyer in the FMCG Retail team to drive performance across your category - ensuring the right products land in store at the right time and the right price.

You’ll manage everything from supplier negotiations and sales analysis to range planning and sample management, all while learning what it takes to take full ownership of a product category.

The role offers flexibility to work from home up to two days per week.

We uphold three core behaviours that guide all our actions:

Love Our Customers: We strive to delight our customers, listening and responding to their needs because they are our priority.

Care for Our Colleagues: We support each other to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Protect Our Pounds/Euros: We are committed to cost-efficiency and value, ensuring every penny counts.

• Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and the opportunity to complete in-house development programmes to set you up for success or to pursue QUALIFICATION through our apprenticeship programme.
• Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Free On-Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle-free.
• Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
• Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in-store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.
• My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.
• Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.
• Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with a generous leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day’s holiday because we believe birthdays … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … ...
• Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.

As Junior Buyer - Retail FMCG, you will:

• Support the full buying process across your category
• Monitor sales performance and use insights to drive decisions
• Manage product samples, pricing strategies, and supplier relationships
• Plan and implement new ranges across stores and formats
• Collaborate with Merchandising, VM, and Supply Chain teams
• Deliver strong commercial results using data, insight, and creativity

We are looking for someone with:

• Previous experience in a Junior Buyer role in a retail environment
• Ideally previous experience of FMCG retail buying
• Commercial awareness and passion for products
• Strong Excel and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
• Ability to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced retail environment
• Full UK driving licence as the role occasionally involves visiting suppliers

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 650 stores and nearly 13,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings.

At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers.

Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Our behaviours and the hard work, commitment and passion of our wonderful colleagues make it all possible.

We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we've created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises—a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!