Retail Buyer

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. At the core of Kennelpak’s values & proposition is our genuine passion for pets.

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 lead-time
- 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 hands-on approach
- Buying & retail experience are essential
- Experience in pet industry would be preferred