About us
Here at Hamleys we are all about creativity and magic. Our brand is synonymous with making children’s dreams come true. Founded in 1760, by William Hamley with a vision to be the finest toy store in the world, we are a true British icon – and we are growing fast! Because of this we have an exciting new role available. Hamleys is on the look out for a new Junior Buyer to join our head office.
Key Objectives
Creative and innovative with a strong ability to spot future trends. Enthusiasm and a love for the product range with a strong commercial and strategic approach is essential for you to be successful. Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills are essential to build a strong range, with emphasis on additional growth through promotion, windows, events and instore experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and deliver a category strategy, working across own brand development, branded ranges and with concession partners to achieve sales, margin and cash profit budgets;
- Establish a thorough product & market knowledge gaining a full understanding of the suppliers & competitors operating in the market place, identifying new product or market opportunities;
- Continually monitoring ranges and performance of products and reacting on any lines necessary;
- Analyse sales, cash and margin on a weekly basis by store level to understand how to continually grow sales;
- Source, select and range new product in both own brand and branded ranges;
- Write briefs and work closely with HK team and factories for own brand development;
- Working closely with the Global Product Team on product development and selection;
- Manage all product approvals to ensure timelines are hit on the critical path, including responsibility for all packaging briefs and the approval process;
- Cultivate exceptional Supplier relationships with planned negotiation for price and other partnership terms in order to maximise both margin and contributions to windows and promotions;
- Working closely with Merchandiser on forecasting sales and stock;
- Working with Space planning to deliver planograms to focus sales growth to ensure efficient/profitable range and space management with product fitting & maximising space allocated;
- Working closely with marketing & stores to ensure right launch for a new product range;
- Develop effective and positive communication with store managers and close relationships with the trading teams and carry out regular visits to the store; and
- To be adaptable to meet the ever-changing demands of the business.
People Management
- Work with and develop a buying assistant in the team, ensuring that support and training is given and allowing growth;
- Work with the Merchandising team to develop and implement key supplier agreements and growth plans;
- Support the QA team with meeting requirements on all required standards;
- Ability to communicate and influence effectively across multiple levels and departments;
- Support the relationship with Franchisees and keep strong communication relevant to product categories;
- Grow strong relationships with other vital departments within the group;
- Support the development of space planning within the business and ensure communication with store teams is clear and timely.
Personality
- Demonstrates standards of excellence;
- Uses initiative in situations and can work alone and also as a part of a team;
- Excellent inter-personal skills;
- Professional and logical approach to problem solving;
- Demonstrates a high level of professional integrity;
- Strong initiative and self – motivation;
- High levels of enthusiasm and energy;
- Innovative and creative;
- Ability to work to deadlines;
- Flexibility in approach to work;
- Promotes personal credibility through working productively;
- Works independently with effective time management; and
- To show a willingness to learn and self-develop.
Specific Job Skills
- Experience working at a Junior Buyer level for one (1) year or more;
- Previous experience in a retail environment;
- Proven adaptability to new product areas;
- Experienced at range management & presentation;
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (outlook/MS Word and Excel especially);
- Ability to analyse data on excel; and
- Degree educated, preferable in Buying, Sourcing or Business Management.
Benefits
- Discount on Hamleys products
- Additional Birthday leave
- Hybrid working
- Early Friday finish - on the last Friday of every month support centre employees finish work 2 hours earlier than their usual finish time
- Life Assurance
- Retail Trust Employee Assistance
Please note that due to the nature of this role, there may be requirement to work outside of normal office hours on occasion.
Job Type: Full-time
Schedule:
Experience:
- Buying: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London, SW1P 1DH
