Wine Buyer

Who are we?

Majestic is the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, operating a network of over 200 stores nationwide. Founded in 1980, the company recently passed back into private ownership following the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group and has undergone an ambitious transformation and turnaround programme. The results of which are now being seen, with record market share growth, a new and improved product range, a new website and new stores - with a pipeline for future expansion over the next five years. With no minimum purchase, the Majestic range includes over 1,100 different wines, spirits and beers both online and in-store. Majestic’s key strength is over 1,000 WSET-trained colleagues offering knowledgeable, friendly service across all channels.

Role Purpose

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 and manage relationships across our business and with suppliers.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Develop and document a product strategy for each of your responsible categories.
• Display an entrepreneurial approach to the selection of new products, and manage our exit from delisted products to ensure the range conforms to agreed parameters.
• Ensure that buying decisions are customer-focused, and product selection is undertaken with appropriate consideration for equivalent products in competitors.
• Responsible for cost price, contribution and all other negotiations with suppliers for your products.
• Ensure that any new suppliers conform to our expected standards and practices.
• Manage a programme of price promotional activity across responsible categories – ensuring it meets company policy/procedure.
• Manage gross margin to ensure promotions maximise cash profitability.
• Ensure sales and promotional forecasts are sound and accurate.
• All aspects of product communication – the better you sell your products internally, the better they will sell to customers.
• Take a full part in any team training and development activities that may be held.
• Ensure all buying is conducted according to Majestic’s ethical standards and in a professional way.
• Take ownership of selling the ranges into the business, using established communication channels to engage with other teams & store colleagues
• Deliver the Financial KPI’s set out by the business
• Become a subject matter expert on key internal processes
• Align priorities with the business objectives
• Anticipate future trends by conducting innovation watch activities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Our ideal candidate will be a Master of Wine (MW) or, WSET diploma holder (or working towards competion WSET Diploma as a minimum).
• Commercially focused/strong negotiating skills
• The Ideal candidate will have 5+ years experience as Buyer/Sourcing working within a Alcohol or Retail industry.
• Experience Buying Wine and/or Beer and/or Spirits
• Able and willing to undertake international travel.
• Highly numerate and able to process complex commercial scenarios quickly.
• Able to influence and develop true ‘partnership’ relationships quickly and effectively.
• Confident presentation and communication skills.
• Empathetic and flexible in style- able to accommodate differing styles and attitudes and adjust approach

What's in it for you:

• A competitive salary & performance related bonus.
• Up to 20% Staff Discount.
• 33 days holiday, including public and bank holidays and we also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• A contributory Company Pension Plan.
• Career development opportunities - we are passionate about nurturing our internal talent, offering career progression supported by our excellent in-house training schemes
• Fantastic incentives that take you around the world to explore our different vineyards.
• Free parking on site with electric charging points
• Access to Retail Trust which includes: Retail Rewards including Instant savings with discounted e-vouchers, discounted reloadable shopping cards, gift vouchers and gift cards, Discounts of up to 30%, Access to free counselling and support phone line .
• Company maternity, paternity and adoption leave after 26 weeks Long service rewards.
• Company sick pay scheme.

Job Specifics:

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Location: Watford Support Centre

We are proud to offer a new Agile Working Policy for Support Centre colleagues; a blend of office and home working which will include a number of days working at the Majestic Office

We look forward to receiving your application

Together we are Majestic #TWAM