Job Introduction

The Buying team have exciting new roles available for Buying Managers in card, gifting or celebration essentials. As a Buying Manager, you will work with the Senior Buying Manager and play an integral role in managing and nurturing the career development of your direct reports.

Our team takes pride in finding the right products for our customers at the right price. You'll be managing your own product ranges and supporting the growth of our key retail categories in Cardfactory. The development of new and exciting product ranges contributes to the overarching Commercial Strategy, delivering on financial targets.

We are looking for energised, proactive, and hard-working individuals who want to help our customers celebrate all life's moments. At Cardfactory, we operate a smart working policy, allowing you to work from home some days and at our Head Office in Wakefield 2/3 days a week in line with business needs. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Role Responsibility

• Deputise for Senior Buying Manager across various Senior stakeholder meetings and forums  
• Implement customer focused ranges in line with the agreed commercial strategy
• Lead the product development process, and build range plans from strategy to launch.  You will work collaboratively with Merchandise Planning, Design, Space, Retail and Online Trading
• Lead Far East product development trips for your category alongside trade fair attendance
• Manage the planning and formation of the future High Level Activity Plan with Merchandise Planning Managers , achieve  input from key stakeholders and buy in from  Senior team
• Demonstrate high levels of awareness of market data, competitor ranges, upcoming trends and customer perceptions 
• Work closely with the Customer Insight team to provide subject matter to test thinking, and develop awareness of customer segments to enable informed decisions
• Analyse and evaluate sales performance of product - challenging effectiveness of approach
• Develop supplier/sourcing strategies that demonstrate clear knowledge and understanding of product and supply base.  Work collaboratively with the QC/Technical teams
• Manage supplier relationships by effectively negotiating complex tenders and costing exercises to achieve optimum trading terms and ensure margin targets are met  
• Managing supplier on boarding and legal supplier contracts with due diligence

• Influence key stakeholders across the business to deliver your strategic vision
• Role model Leadership qualities, actively support and promote a high performance culture in the Buying team, to support their personal and professional growth and ensure successful career development

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven track record  in sales and profitability growth in line with budget
• Experience working with product in one or more of the following categories preferred: Greetings Cards/ Home/Gifting/Occasion/Seasonal Events
• A creative flair and a strong eye for product is a must!
• Sound experience in critical path management , with the foresight to  take corrective action to resolve issues with key stakeholders
• Ability to challenge current ways  of working to achieve efficiencies, drive profitability and manage your team resource 
• Experience in supplier relationship management, for both FOB and Domestic supply base. Overseas travel will be required

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland.  In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer.  This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.  

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.

Benefits

• 25% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support       
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
• Discounted gym membership and mobile phone contracts
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
• Enhanced Family leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly. 

No agencies, please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A cardfactory