Senior Category Buyer, Technology

In the world of technology, standing still is moving backward. We are looking for a Senior Buyer to steer our Technology category into its next chapter. From the latest in smart home innovation to must-have consumer electronics, you will be the architect of a range that defines how our customers live, work, and play.

You will be a highly experienced Senior Buyer who uses their expert knowledge to plan and buy the best range for customers within your category. Your remit will be to deliver agreed KPIs including; sales, profit, stock, margin and achieving required customer metrics and hit rates. You will be an experienced negotiator adept at independently leading and managing supplier relationships.

Working with your Senior Merchandiser, you will analyse commercial input and market data from all channels to develop and bring to market, branded technology ranges, working alongside all relevant specialist functions to deliver a category assortment with a competitive pricing architecture & propositions. You will maximise opportunities as they arise and lead the in-season trading to potentialise the outcome for both customers and your category.

• Salary: £55,600.00 - £84,100.00 per annum

• Salary up to: £70,000.00 per annum based on skill and experience

• Contract type: This is a permanent position 

• Hours and location of the role:

  • 35 hours per week

  • Your home location will be our London Pimlico Head Office

  • This is a hybrid working role. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 

Key responsibilities:

• Curate a market-leading assortment of branded tech that balances cutting-edge innovation with a competitive pricing architecture

• Work alongside specialist functions and expert Merchandisers to translate complex market data into a compelling commercial reality

• Buying an assortment of high strategic importance and/or complexity within your category’s commercial product assortment that optimises market trends and creates a competitive advantage. You will be an experienced negotiator adept at independently managing supplier relationships

• You will maximise opportunities as they arise and lead the in-season trading to potentialise the outcome for both customers and your category

• People Manager of your category team’s Junior Buyer & Buying Assistants, creating the conditions for them to thrive, and balancing their focus and priorities as required

• Take an active role in supporting the Buying Manager/Category Lead in leading the team and as a highly experienced Senior Buyer, and take responsibility for coaching the team through challenges

• Responsible for sourcing Pan-Partnership product for relevant categories

• Work at pace and agility within a collaborative environment with your Buying Manager/Category Lead, Head of Buying, Trade Planning, Trading & Product Operations team, Design and Product Technology. Externally you will hold a strong relationship with your suppliers, Brands and external teams

• Accountable for the commercial success of a product range as defined and agreed with your Buying Manager/Category Lead and the commercial and customer success of a product range through range planning and agile in-season trading

• Ensure you have up to date expert market knowledge for the category and can predict future market dynamics

• Accountable for building and maintaining strong supplier relationships ensuring that they adhere to the required standards and agreed terms

• Accountable for making decisions on the product assortment: development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins. These will be in line with category and customer strategy. In collaboration with merchandising, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers

• Deputise for your Buying Manager/Category Lead when appropriate and support in building a category strategy

• Develop and buy market leading branded ranges, managing product lifecycle from launch to exit of product ranges

• Collaborate with Merchandiser to prepare and share Standardised Range Plan, in line with critical path, to hand over to the Central Operations Team

• Alongside Merchandiser, sign off product ranges and branch grading with Buying Manager/Category Lead and Head of Category when required, using reporting from Product Operations

• Work with and comply with all critical path requirements as necessary

Essential skills and/or experience you’ll need: 

• Proven extensive experience in Technology buying within the retail industry - a focus on buying, category management, commercial trading and product management within the designated category. Direct experience in buying practices, merchandising strategies, and supplier negotiations and management of critical path

• Solid negotiation skills and experience in leading strategic commercial negotiations with suppliers and vendors to secure favourable terms and agreements, maximising value and profitability for the category

• In-depth knowledge and expertise within Technology category, 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 

• 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

#LI-HEADOFFICE

#LI-JLS

#LI-HYBRID

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.