Senior Buyer

3 months ago

London, United Kingdom Fortnum & Mason Full time

Role Purpose: 

The Senior Buyer is accountable for defining and delivering the strategic buying vision of their category across all channels of the business. The role is key to the delivery of the category sales and profit forecast and the individual will demonstrate strong product skills, industry knowledge with an ability to identify market and product trends realising new opportunities. Fortnum and Mason hold significant market share for Hampers, and this needs to be protected. Hampers Buying at Fortnum and Mason is unique in that it is a highly collaborative and curative category, working alongside colleagues within Food Buying and other key departments to deliver the single vision strategy.  

 

Reports to:

Director of Buying, Hampers, Fashion, Beauty and Home 

 

Direct Reports:

Assistant Buyer, Buying Assistant 

 

Key interfaces:  

Merchandising, Concierge, Retail, Wholesale, Marketing, Online, Logistics 

 

Strategic  

  • Develop and deliver the strategic vision across all channels for the category.  
  • Drive sales and profit through analysis of sales and stock performance (supported by merchandising) 
  • Demonstrate an authentic and passionate understanding of brand, product and the competition within the market 
  •  Have a passion for putting together brilliant food combinations, that amplify our strategy of extraordinary food and drink. 
  • Develop an understanding of the customer profile and be able to anticipate customer needs and expectations in a multichannel environment 
  • Set direction and strategy for product group working closely with the Merchandising team and other stakeholders 
  • Appreciation of “gift experience “across the business and support integration into Hamper offer where relevant 
  • Set sales and margin budgets with the relevant stakeholders to maximise sales and profit 
  • Input to sales and stock planning and forecasting cycle 
  • Actively trade product area liaising with all relevant stakeholders 
  • Define and agree pricing strategies with multiple suppliers influence cross category teams in key supplier negotiations 
  • Lead the negotiation of complex business terms and agreements with suppliers and other third-party service providers. 

 

Key Accountabilities 

  • Working closely with the Hamper Merchandiser to identify sales trends, range structure and opportunities alongside NPD forecasts. 
  • Product curation and development with a core focus on seasonality, particularly Christmas 
  • Sales and margin analysis; weekly trade reports, board reports, seasonal reviews 
  • Working with Buying Departments to push for development to support Hamper fills and themes, as well as to keep up to date with any delays to product development that may impact the hamper timeline 
  • Working with the Online Team to ensure smooth launches of products (from photography to product set up), as well as to identify any core characteristic changes in our online customers 
  • Working with the Client Service Team to capture their feedback on ranges, to identify any potential gaps within the range. Developing bespoke orders to support demand 
  • Management of key strategic supplier, and influence strategically across other categories to ensure Hamper requirements and needs are protected within other supplier contracts/ negotiations 
  • Maintaining the working relationship with our core wicker supplier; cost price negotiation, ensuring any problems with invoices are rectified, product development of wicker shapes and styles  
  • Working with the International/Wholesale Team to ensure product development fits their requirement 
  • Lead on finding partners for exclusive collaborations and curations 
  • Work cross functionally on gift card/experience strategy  
  • Range planning per site – largely managed day to day by Merch and AB 
  • Floor walks – largely managed day to day by Merch and AB 
  • Regular staff training - – largely managed day to day by Merch and AB, but accountable for ensuring these are booked in and executed in a timely manner. Accountable for deciding the format of this training 
  • Support the AB in the management of our third-party Floristry supplier 
  • Regular visits to Other London Stores 
  • Signing off drop plans that the Hamper Assistant Buyer compiles 
  • Overview of signage requests raised by the Hamper Assistant Buyer to ensure they are sent in a timely manner – largely managed day to day by AB 
  • Competitor reviews of each seasonal campaign 
  • Data integrity – ensuring substitutes are being selected, and recorded correctly by AB and merch teams, and necessary comms are carried out. 
  • Support Warehouse Team to carry our test packs of new hamper fills 
  • Support Hamper & Logistics Team to carry our travel tests of new hamper fills 
  • Attend Monthly NPD meetings to ensure I am aware of any upcoming product development and can feedback any hamper requirements such as shelf life 

People & Collaboration 

  • Ability to operate at a Senior level and able to deputise for the director of buying as and when required 
  • Be able to influence and manage multiple internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Ability to lead the category in a personalised, professional and articulate manner, demonstrating credibility and influencing skills at every level. (Board, Executives, External Stakeholders, Peers etc.) 
  • An effective people manager with the ability to train, develop and retain team members.  
  • Management of the Hamper Assistant Buyer’s development, roles and responsibilities.

Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability) 

  • 7 to 10 years’ experience in a Buying role preferably in a luxury retail environment or within Hamper /gift box sector 
  • This candidate must have a passion for putting together brilliant food combinations, that amplify our strategy of extraordinary food and drink. 
  • Commercial understanding and ability essential in driving sales and profit of this iconic high-profile category  
  • Appreciation of our strength in food, drink and joyful living 
  • Proven experience in product development and ability to incorporate their understanding of future trends to create and curate an innovative but commercial range 
  • Demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills  
  • Proven skills in leading and coaching a high performing buying team 

 

In return, we offer:

  • A competitive salary
  • A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%
  • 25 days holidays pro rata (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday
  • A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients
  • A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally
  • Excellent pension scheme

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