Junior Buying Manager

Kingfisher Plc; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading home improvement retailer in Southampton seeks an Assistant Product Sourcing Manager to drive performance across sourcing operations. The role includes developing sourcing competencies, collaborating with teams, and managing suppliers effectively. Candidates should possess strong negotiation skills, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and have project management experience. This position offers opportunities for professional development and participation in a supportive workplace culture.

Benefits

Private Health Care

Kingfisher Pension Scheme

25 Days' Holiday

Staff Discount

Competitive Bonus

Training & Development

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation skills with creative problem solving ability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience in project management and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing competencies within the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Manage supplier relationships and contribute to Supplier Relationship Management.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Problem-solving ability

Excellent communication

Project management experience

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Job description

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas - to life. That’s right, we’re big, but we have ambitions to become even bigger and even better. We want to become the leading home improvement company and grow the largest community of home improvers in the world. And that’s where you come in.

At Kingfisher our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We want to ensure that all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants to Kingfisher are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

We are open to flexible and agile working, both of hours and location. Therefore, we offer colleagues a blend of working from home and our offices, Kingfisher - London (Paddington) / B&Q - Southampton (Chandlers Ford).

Overview

As an Assistant Product Sourcing Manager you will drive performance across our sourcing operations, ensuring suppliers and teams deliver at their best. You’ll play a key role in building strong partnerships, optimising sourcing strategies, and supporting sustainable, high-quality products for our customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing competencies within the team and foster a positive, high-performing culture.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement buying office priorities and vendor strategies.


• Identify and onboard new suppliers through vendor mapping, benchmarking, and alternative sourcing.


• Ensure compliance with Kingfisher sustainability policies, contracts, and sourcing processes.


• Manage supplier relationships and contribute to Supplier Relationship Management programmes.


• Lead negotiations to deliver margin targets and cost optimisation through fact‑based analysis.


• Monitor KPIs, report progress, and support continuous improvement across sourcing activities.

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation skills with creative problem‑solving ability.


• Ability to make decisions and thrive in a fast‑paced environment.


• Excellent communication and influencing skills to challenge and collaborate effectively.


• Proven experience in project management and stakeholder accountability.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).

Our Behaviours

We value the following behaviours that shape our culture:

• Be Customer Focused – constantly improving our customers’ experience.


• Be Human – acting with humanity and care.


• Be Curious – thrive on learning, thinking beyond the obvious.


• Be Agile – working with trust, pace and agility.


• Be Inclusive – acting inclusively in diverse teams to work together.


• Be Accountable – championing the plan to deliver results and growth.

What we offer.

Private Health Care

Opportunity to receive up to family level cover with AXA. Join within three months of starting or at annual renewal in April. (This benefit is subject to Benefit In Kind taxation).

Kingfisher Pension Scheme

Immediate eligibility through auto‑enrolment. Contribute 8% to receive a max 14% from the Company.

25 Days' Holiday

25 days per annum plus bank holidays as stated in your contract (pro‑rated for part‑time colleagues).

Staff Discount

20% discount at B&Q and Screwfix. Eligible after 3 months service.

Kingfisher Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

Share ownership in a tax‑efficient way. Save between £10 to £150 per month. Join at any time once three months service is reached.

Life Assurance

x4 Salary plus benefit equal to value of your Retirement Account (if an active member of KPS‑MP) or x1 Salary if not active member.

Bonus

Competitive bonus scheme that aligns to work level of role.

Kingfisher Share Save

Save with the option to buy Kingfisher plc shares at the end of a 3 or 5 year period. Offered annually. Three months service is required at the annual invitation date, normally in October.

Training & Development

There are so many ways you can grow, learn, and develop here at Kingfisher. At whatever pace suits you.

Conversations with senior leaders

Resources and tools to help you grow

Improving without instruments to help you learn is near impossible. That’s why we make sure you have everything at your fingertips to find exactly what you need to keep growing.

Initiatives that measure development

With plans that ask you what you want to achieve and when you want to achieve them by, tracking progress and keeping development at the forefront of conversation is easy.

Find your path

The scale of group functions within Kingfisher is huge. That means you have the chance to build different career paths within multiple areas of the organisation.

Sharing is caring

We aren’t selfish here at Kingfisher. Whatever your level of experience, you’ll work with colleagues who are always welcoming and ready to share their knowledge whenever you need it.

Reach for the stars

So your ambitions are high? Good thing we have opportunities to find experiences in line with more senior roles and responsibilities. Here, you can evolve your career, no matter your level.

Why Kingfisher

We’re an innovative, international retailer on a journey to actively make a difference. Always striving to take that next step. You can be part of the difference. From bottom to top you can progress in a collaborative environment. So, why not Kingfisher?

Application Process

What to expect from our application process...

Step 1: Application

Send in your application via our Kingfisher Careers website.

Step 2: Review

A member of the Talent Acquisition team will then review your application and let you know if you have progressed to the next stage of the process.

Step 3: Interview 1

You’ll then have a telephone interview/one to one conversation with a recruiter.

Step 4: Interview 2

As you progress, you’ll be invited to attend a face to face or virtual interview.

Step 5: Feedback

Your recruiter will be in contact with feedback and, if successful, the details of your job offer!