Senior Buyer

Draper Tools is a family business with a rich history, a strong, supportive 'family culture' and a passion for continuous improvement. We believe everyone can make a difference, we value opinions, and we embrace new ideas.

Several recent events have led to Draper undergoing a period of transformation with ambitious growth plans. There is new wave of energy throughout the business, which means you'll need to thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy taking a proactive and collaborativeapproach and be comfortable adapting to change.

It is an exciting time to be joining Draper Tools and we have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Buyer to join our Buying department.

As a Senior Buyer, you will work within our established team to increase our ability to bring new and innovative products to this fast-moving marketplace. You will use your expertise to lead, optimise and execute the buying strategies for a specific category,ensuring new and existing products remain competitive.

**Required Skills and Experience**
- Identify, source, and deliver both individual new products and new product ranges, as part of category development plans
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams to identify new product opportunities. Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and evaluate with effective benchmarking
- Identify new manufacturing opportunities and supply chain improvements, whilst developing effective relationships with our supply base. This will require a level of global travel to visit the factories and attendance at international trade fairs and end-usershows in the UK.
- Ensure the ongoing requirements of the business regarding: item and range quality, cost price, sales benefits and features, item profitability and stock availability
- Input into the design of product packaging and proofing of marketing and sales materials whilst adhering to the Corporate Brand Guidelines.
- Work alongside our QA department both in the UK and Shanghai to ensure existing and new products are complaint with relevant UK/International standards and directives
- Work closely with Sales and Warehouse teams to ensure a continuous supply of required stock inventory
- Provide support and guidance to Buyers and Assistant Buyers when requested and support with their ongoing development

**Skills Required**:

- Proven experience as a Senior Buyer, Category Manager or similar
- Healthy practical interest in tools and related technology
- Excellent, proven negotiation skills
- Flexible, open to change
- Team player
- Good attention to detail
- Focused and motivated
- Methodical and organised
- Excellent IT skills
- Results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines

**Benefits**
- Holidays rising to 25 days *
- Pension scheme
- Private health scheme *
- Staff discount on Draper products
- Long service bonus *
- Day off for your birthday
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee discount scheme - discounts on gym memberships, groceries, holidays and more

*After qualifying period

Draper Tools was started in 1919 when the founder, Bert Draper, sold government surplus and tools in markets around the Kingston Upon Thames area. This led to the purchase of the original warehouse, from which the Draper Tool Company Limited as we know ittoday was born, although at this time it was known as B. Draper & Son Limited and owned the trademark B.D.S. Although Draper Tools sold its own brand as early as this time, it was also a quality Engineers Merchant and Tool Wholesaler, selling brands that arewell known today, such as, Britool, King Dick, Elliott Lucas, etc.