<p dir="ltr"><strong>WHAT WILL THIS ROLE INVOLVE?</strong></p><p>An opportunity to join Ryman in a key role to drive Ryman’s future success. Reporting into the Head of Buying, your role will be to drive category sales and profit in line with budgets. You will maintain and improve existing supplier relationships and help to build new ones. As a buyer, you will manage all aspects of your categories, presenting new product ranges and sourcing new opportunities for the business in line with category strategy. The role will involve line management of an Assistant Buyer,&nbsp;to be successful in this role you will inspire and be able people to connect &amp; express yourself with others to enrich their lives through learning, work and play. This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a leading specialist retailer with continued ambition for growth.<strong><br><br><br></strong></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>WHAT WILL YOU BE RESPONSIBLE FOR?</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Responsible for a specific set of categories across all business channels, including retail stores &amp; online</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Deliver sales, margin, stock and supplier terms budgets within your categories across all business channels</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Develop the buying strategy, in conjunction with the Head of Buying, both long term and short term, for these categories</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Provide weekly category analysis and propose actions to impact commercial performance</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To negotiate supplier terms and conditions, supplier retrospective and ad hoc monies in order to achieve budgeted targets</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Have a strong awareness of competitor activity and react accordingly to maintain a competitive commercial edge</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Review and analyse operational and financial reports to measure productivity and identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvements within your categories.</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Continually look for new product opportunities to improve the offering to customers, both from stocked ranges and drop-ship opportunities, challenging the status quo to ensure business growth</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Work collaboratively with the Stores, Marketing and Ecom team to deliver strong and effective promotions</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Manage and improve the supply chain within these categories to maximise profit and sales performance, ensuring that targeted levels of availability are maintained</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Visit relevant trade shows, exhibitions and suppliers, representing Ryman and The Group.</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To play an active part in colleague training within the company</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">To line manage a junior colleague, supporting their professional development</p></li></ul><p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><strong>WHAT WOULD WE LIKE TO SEE IN YOU?</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Significant experience within a buying function&nbsp;</p></li></ul><ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Have a proven track record of delivering to a sales, margin and stock budget</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ability to develop a category plan , across both store &amp; ecommerce ranges</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Management of the department’s stock budget, understanding how to forecast sales and intake accurately&nbsp;</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Building relationships with current and new suppliers, turning transactional relationships into partnerships, but able to also challenge where needed</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Working with &amp; challenging internal stakeholders to achieve the set KPIs</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Continuous critique and improvement of how we operate to drive efficiency in process &amp; make sure output is always keeping the customer in mind first</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex information and deliver effectively across all levels of a business</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Strong attention to detail, sense of urgency and adaptability under pressure</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Positive mind set and can-do attitude; Reactive and customer-focussed, with finger on the pulse of current trends</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ability to work independently, or as part of a group, to prioritise multiple concurrent projects, and meet deadlines with a high level of personal organisation</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">An understanding of the life cycle of a product in a seasonally reactive business.</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">A proven understanding of Far East Sourcing (FOB), Manufacturing and QA/C - beneficial but not essential</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sound numeracy and analytical skills, understanding trends in sales and summarising reporting appropriately to higher levels</p></li></ul><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>WHAT WILL WE OFFER YOU?</strong></p><ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">A passionate, dynamic team where your growth, ideas, and impact matter</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">A competitive pay package</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Company pension scheme with the option to enhance</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Generous holiday allowance including an extra wellbeing day that gives you time to recharge</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Training programme to help you excel in your role</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Opportunities through our apprenticeship programs to keep building on your skills</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Access to mental health first aiders, wellness sessions, and support groups</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Exclusive discounts across all of our brands and through our benefits hub</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cycle2Work scheme</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Long service and recognition awards</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Colleague referral scheme</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Company and team social events</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Free on-site parking</p></li><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Subsidised canteen</p></li></ul><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p dir="ltr"><strong>WHO ARE WE?</strong></p><p dir="ltr">Founded by Henry J Ryman in 1893, Ryman has been the go-to destination for stationery, office supplies, printing, technology, and more for over 130 years. We are part of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which also includes Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue, and London Graphic Centre.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">From our very first store on Great Portland Street, we have grown to over 200 locations and a thriving website and app offering quality products and exceptional service. We believe in supporting our colleagues and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to grow, thrive, and have fun whilst doing it.&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr">At Ryman, all of our teams from our stores to our warehouse and Retail Support Centre are passionate about retail. We put our customers first and have a common goal to keep them at the heart of everything we do. We are energetic and enthusiastic, delivering results through resilience, innovation, and adaptability. If you are a team player who’s ready to make an impact, this could be the perfect role for you.</p><p dir="ltr">Ryman is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate differences, encourage everyone to join us, and be themselves at work.</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><strong>PLEASE NOTE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT OTHER DUTIES AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>