Retail Buyer
3 months ago
Kennelpak Limited was founded in 1974 as a supplier of both own brand & third party branded pet food products.
In 1983 we opened our first store, initially named Kennelgate, which today operates as Pets & Friends both online and across a multi-site retail estate.
Kennelpak Wholesale & Distributor division owns a number of successful own brands within its portfolio as well as having sole distribution rights for a number of large, international brands of pet food, treats and accessories.
Our Support Centre & warehousing facilities are based in Stapleford, Nottingham, just off the M1 junction 25.
In addition to selling a selection of pet food, accessories, & toys across both the Wholesale and Retail channels, we also provide an array of services, including grooming, dog training, nutritional advice, & licensed medication.
In 2017 PE house, Endless LLP, acquired Kennelpak recognising the exciting platform from which they could drive accelerated growth in an expanding sector.
As a result, Kennelpak is currently going through a period of transformation whilst delivering significant growth, with even bigger plans on the horizon.
Key Responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a real passion for entrepreneurship & retail, wanting to get involved in a large array of projects as we continue to accelerate our growth ahead of the market.
As a business we leave no stone un-turned as we strive to expand & develop our customer experience, embracing new ideas & quick delivery.
- To be the commercial engine room, driving our product ranges, promotional strategy & proposition across stores and website
- Be responsible for all competitor reviews, pricing strategy, promotions & range reviews and managing our supply base
- Input insight in to range decisions, enabling the Merchandiser to create accurate forecasting, right stock in the right place & enable trade driving activity
- Prepare for forthcoming promotions by negotiating appropriate promotions for each period across stores & website
- Deliver comprehensive range reviews & work with Marketing team to deliver relevant POS/channel execution requirements Plan and execute requirements to manage changes to promotions, campaigns, and events accurately and within leadtime
- Build additional Seasonal ranges and trading plans for peak trading and sale periods
- Monitor slow selling product and manage product lifecycle reducing distressed stock
- Monitor stock levels across the estate to ensure that there is good cover to deliver sales, working closely with the Merchandiser to deliver targets set
- Manage our Supplier relationships effectively & collaboratively, ensuring our values are lived and breathed
- Ensure product mix KPI's are met by working closely with all relevant key stakeholders
- Protect Top 100 lines ensuring that consistent supply in stores & website
- Monitor special orders & NPD in market to identify new lines and future best sellers
- Comply with all communicated company guidelines & ensure that our data is accurate and maintained
- Work collaboratively with Stores & Website channel leads to improve colleague and customer experience
- Work Product Team to refine processes & streamline ways of working
- Manage, coach & develop a small team of Assistant Buyers
Personal Competencies
- Highly Commercial & Numerate with strong Excel skills
- Ability to interrogate data & make sound recommendations
- Excellent communicator & experienced negotiator
- Able to lead a team, whilst also maintaining a handson approach
- Buying & retail experience are essential
- Experience in pet industry would be preferred