Buyer - Cycling

**Job Purpose**

Working in partnership with the Supply Chain, Marketing, Store Development, Quality, Operations and Digital teams our Buyers are responsible for delivering an industry leading range of products to both our store and online customers. Through their excellent knowledge of our customer requirements they build both product ranges and services that provide us with a clear differentiation from any competitors and grow our sales, market share and brand strength. You’ll make sure we have the right products at the right time, using your influencing and negotiating skills to build relationships across our business.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Understand Halfords customer base and use this knowledge to develop customer-centric product ranges that will deliver company sales & margin targets for each financial year, identify and drive additional range extensions to core categories ensuring every customer mission is met within your ranges.
- Manage negotiated margin, product mix, trading account revenues and rebates to hit forecast M% and rebate targets/forecasts
- Accountable for the P&L across a concept group(s)
- Negotiate and secure promotional opportunities with suppliers in line with sales and profitability requirements
- Work closely with the Merchandising team to ensure prompt delivery of merchandise and correct phasing of intake to meet sales
- Work with key internal stakeholders to communicate and manage product range changeover
- Negotiate trading terms & manage high profile suppliers
- Continue to build on the improvements made in Far East sourcing and the continued development of Halfords own brands
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Far East team and Far East suppliers will be critical
- Identify and develop new supplier opportunities in order to improve Halfords market position or further improve category profitability
- Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the customer, and Halfords’ competitors, to deliver a product offer that in range and value will give long term competitive advantage
- Identify new product and supplier opportunities (including new overseas sourcing opportunities)
- Effective management of 2x Buying Assistant’s

**Key Skills/Experience**
- A highly driven, experienced and confident negotiator with the ability to manage important relationships with some of Halfords largest suppliers
- Proven experience within previous Buying positions, preferably within Retail
- A highly motivated individual with a passion for retail who will thrive in a fast paced environment
- Customer focused
- A proven team player and team focused manager
- Demonstrate the ability to work cross functionally within a business
- Be able to communicate confidently & concisely to all levels within the business
- Excellent commercial skills, resilience and the ability to plan and work under pressure will be key to success in the role