Buyer

Education/Qualification

• 2008 University of Central Lancashire – Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• 2005 Burnley College – A Levels in Psychology, Media Studies and Law

                                       – AS Levels in English Language and Literature

                                        – AS Levels in Key Skill Level 3 in Communication 

• 2003 Gawthorpe High School – 9 GCSEs including Mathematics and English

Systems used

• Microsoft Word and Excel – Intermediate
• Various In-House Systems / Power BI reporting systems

Career Summary

Current Employer – Wholesale / Retail – £124.5m T/O

Position – Buyer – Celebrations and JML

Dates – January 2024 – Present // (Various toles from April 2011 – Present)

• Reports to the Head of Buying – responsible for planning and managing own workload
• Recently completed a large range rationalisation and supplier switch on Celebrations (Party Items – Balloons / Banners etc.)
• This has resulted in a 25% SKU count reduction and 6% pts higher Margin
• Sales have been positive at +2% with a 7% GP growth. Stock has also reduced by 33%
• Work Internally and Externally to develop strong Supplier relationships across Stock and Non-Stackable Products
• Working closely with Stores for Celebrations training and arranging additional Stock for larger Orders, ahead of Customer deadlines
• Work to constantly update Demand Plans
• Manage the timely re-ordering of Helium to ensure Stores have a constant Supply
• Launch JML Products on Website, working cross functionally with JML, Marketing and Web team to ensure a smooth and accurate launch
• Work closely with JML to ensure new Products were always launched in line with their timescales and advertising
• Responsible for working towards Sales Targets and growing Margin
• Conducting competitor research and keeping up with Market trends
• Work closely with the Assistant Buyer, giving sufficient direction on tasks

Position – Buyer for Grocery Food and Grocery Non-Food

Dates – June 2020 – January 2024

• Launched new ranges into the business such as Skinny Whip bars, following the market trend for healthier snacking
• Launched a wider range of Elbow Grease products, which were trend led from Mrs Hinch’s blog
• Followed poor Sell through and Customer feedback – worked to take decisions to move away from Tertiary branded Chocolate on seasonal ranges. This resulted in strong sell throughs and more GP through less markdown spend
• Conducted regular range rationalisation reviews to make core lines work harder and free up OTB for more deals, a key strategic pillar of the Business
• Developed strong Supplier relationships, particularly with Grey Market Suppliers to ensure access to the best deals at the most competitive prices
• Conducted price point and brand analysis to ensure future deals were at prices and brands that resonated with Customer profile
• Negotiated with Suppliers to agree prices/quantities, ranging from blue chip companies (Coca-Cola, Cadburys) to smaller independents, developing strong working relationships in the process. These were crucial when negotiating improved Supplier terms

Position – Senior Merchandiser

Dates – February 2016 – June 2020

• Worked in a team of 5 reporting into the Merchandising Manager
• Ran reports on Power BI
• Sales forecasting through historical sales data, order books and weekly / monthly sales reports from the sales order team
• Utilised reports to ensure stock is available and in store with enough supply for expected orders
• Full management of the assistant merchandisers in the team
• Full responsibility for the department’s Stock management, re-ordering quantities and product lifecycle
• Worked closely with the Buyer to deliver range sign offs across core and seasonal categories, determining the buy quantities for the season to deliver budget sales, GP and margin
• Worked to Critical Paths and closely with Suppliers to ensure Stock is available in the correct quantities to safeguard availability in Stores
• Regularly achieved ‘cleaner’ closing Stocks year on year alongside reduction in markdown spend
• WSSI forecasting, identifying overperformance and opportunities whilst highlighting risks to Budget/Future Sales
• Through effective communication, managed the workload of the Assistant Merchandiser, ensuring they had sufficient direction and understanding to complete their tasks

Position – Assistant Merchandiser

Dates – April 2012 – February 2016

• Initially supported the Merchandiser through line card management, timely re-ordering of key lines, preparing reports for sign off/range reviews
• Progressed to Wssi management, promotional Forecasting and determining buy quantities, eventually taking responsibility for own departments
• Deliver Allocation instructions to Allocation team to ensure lines were Allocated effectively
• Regularly communicated with Stores to understand Stock requirements, particularly Key Seasonal Stores to support them through peak trading periods

Position – Allocator

Dates – April 2011 – April 2012

• Allocated Stock across the Store portfolio to maximise sales through sell through and sales cover requirements
• Communicated with Stores to help achieve maximum sales potential
• Worked as part of a central allocation team to ensure all departments were covered each week