Buying Manager – Lighting & Wall Decor

About the role Salary - £65,000.00 - £98,000.00 This position is a permanent contract The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The Home team aim for a minimum of around 2 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings but again, are flexible on this. This role is based at our Pimlico Head Office campus. Key Responsibilities: Your efforts contribute to delivering distinctive assortments that embody the John Lewis Brand ethos, ensuring they are both style relevant, competitive and of the highest quality. Through effective market insights and negotiation skills, you uphold robust terms with brands and suppliers while aligning with sustainability targets. In collaboration with the Merchandising Manager, the Buying manager will make critical decisions regarding product assortment, design strategy, supplier negotiations, pricing, and promotional strategies, among others, ensuring alignment with the overarching category strategy. Additionally, the role will actively contribute to long-term planning, range optimisation, and in-year trading decisions. Essential skills/experience you’ll need Retail Industry Experience: Extensive proven experience in the retail industry, with a focus on buying, category management, or product management within the designated category. Direct experience in buying practices, merchandising strategies, and supplier negotiations is crucial for success in this role. Proven Track Record: Demonstrated success and achievement in previous buying or category management roles within the Home categories, with a track record of delivering results, driving sales growth, and enhancing profitability within the retail sector. Experience in Leading Design of Own-Brand Ranges: Previous experience in leading the design process for own-brand ranges within the designated category. Ability to translate market trends and consumer insights into innovative and commercially viable product designs. Leadership Experience: Previous experience in leadership or managerial roles, with a focus on team management, coaching, and development. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, and drive results through effective team management. Category Expertise: In-depth knowledge and expertise within Home categories, including an understanding of product trends, customer preferences, and industry dynamics. Direct experience in range planning, product assortment development, and brand management within the category is highly desirable. Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas, negotiate agreements, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Desirable skills/experience you may have Demonstrated success and achievement in previous buying or category management roles within Lighting, with a track record of delivering results, driving sales growth, and enhancing profitability within the retail sector. #LI-HS1 #LI-HYBRID #LI-HEADOFFICE