Senior Buyer
Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales
Permanent, £38k Circa
Our client based in South Wales is proud to be an employee‑owned company that has been trading for over 25 years, selling online high‑quality products.
As part of ongoing development and growth, we are seeking a Senior Buyer to add greater focus and value to their product sourcing function. The role will add expertise, fresh ideas, and drive the small but perfectly formed business.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking to recruit a commercial, product‑focused leader to own and grow the client’s product offering end‑to‑end in line with brand strategy. This person will lead the existing purchasing team, help define product strategy, actively drive new brand and product acquisition, and ensure the range is well merchandised, profitable and aligned with customers’ needs.
Key Responsibilities
Product Strategy
- Own the overall product vision and roadmap
- Define category strategy (core, growth, experimental)
- Identify gaps and opportunities in existing collections
- Balance heritage brands with new, emerging suppliers
- Develop ‘exclusive’ product ranges and brand partnerships
New Brand & Product Acquisition
- Work with the existing team to identify, source and onboard new brands and products
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships
- Negotiate commercial terms, exclusives, and MOQs
- Evaluate products based on customer demand, margin, stock risk, brand fit and long‑term potential
Buying & Inventory Leadership
- Line management and mentor the existing purchasing team
- Set clear buying frameworks and decision‑making standards
- Oversee forecasting, rebuys, and range depth
- Appreciate the impact that buying has on cashflow and stock health
Product Lifecycle Management
- Develop lifecycle stages to maintain stock health: launch ? Peak ? Decline ? End of Line
- Monitor performance and make data‑informed decisions that support the management team and business
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Act as the product voice across the business
- Work closely with Marketing (launches, content, positioning) and Operations (availability, lead times, logistics)
Ideal Background & Experience
Essential
- Experience in buying, product management or merchandising (retail or e‑commerce)
- Proven ability to own a product range end‑to‑end, including building and maturing a range or brand
- Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills
- Comfortable leading a small team in a hands‑on environment
- Ability to continuously improve processes within the business
Desirable
- Experience in specialist or enthusiast retail
- Brand sourcing or international supplier experience
- Understanding of international logistics
- CIPS qualification
Personality & Working Style
- Commercial but customer‑obsessed
- Comfortable making decisions with imperfect data
- Enjoys building structure and processes
- Happy to roll up sleeves and be flexible in a small, fast‑moving business
- Comfortable working collaboratively within a small team
Benefits
- 21 days holiday, plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme; 4% from employee and employer
- Annual EOT bonus
Job Type: Full time, Permanent. Work Location: In person, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 17:00pm. Hours: 37.5hrs per week.
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