Group Essentials Buyer

Leicester, Leicestershire
TOPPS TILES

There’s plenty about Topps Tiles that might surprise you. Like the scale of our Support Office in Leicester. We have Finance, Marketing, Buying, Central Operations, HR, Property, Customer Service and IT all under one roof. Tight-knit teams of talented people working together and working hard to get things done and drive results. But then, would you expect anything less from an ambitious, dynamic, market-leading, multi-million-pound retail business? After delivering our 20% market share goal of “one in five” in 2023, we have launched our new goal – Mission 365 – targeting £365 million of sales

PURPOSE

As a senior member of the team, reporting into the Head of Buying, this role is responsible for delivering the buying and ranging strategy of Essentials product categories in line with the Group Trade strategy. Working closely with the Head of Buying you will develop and manage our product portfolio, through carrying out the sourcing plan within the prescribed categories and delivering the right products at the right time. This role drives cost-efficiency, supplier performance, and procurement innovation, whilst supporting cross-functional stakeholders to optimise supply chain outcomes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Customer/Strategy/Plan:

• Developing a category plan & strategy for 1-3 years that includes market leading products and suppliers
• To ensure that the customer can buy from a wide range of products and range
• Identify range opportunities & new categories with the Head of Buying for Topps Group trading units
• To ensure a market leading range which appeals to all targeted customer groups
• To source ‘exclusive’ ranges bespoke for Topps Group customers
• Oversight of all Group Essentials purchases to leverage the Groups sourcing scale to maximum effect
• Negotiate complex contracts and commercial terms with new and existing suppliers
• Analyse market trends and supplier capabilities to inform purchasing decisions
• Review current sourcing methods and suppliers to ensure value for money and ethical sourcing
• To provide the business with real time data on competition, current trends and fashion
• Manage supplier relationships, trading agreements and performance
• Development of group owned brands and proprietary brand partnerships

People/Leadership:

• Lead and develop and mentor a team of Junior Buyers and provide wider leadership across the business
• To provide the link between the supply chain and distribution
• To build, maintain and enhance supplier relationships and promote brand
• Work cross functionally across the business to align buying with business needs

Financial/Commercials:

• Maximise all opportunities to ‘buy better’, driving industry leading gross margins and stock turn
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and contribute to budget control measures
• Lead the team of Buyers to exceed KPI’s and carry out reviews / feedback identifying areas for improvement.
• Overall accountability for product spend, rebate and gross margin targets for area
• To manage projects to agreed times and investment levels
• To review the price point structure and create clear range architecture for colleague and customers
• Commercial awareness of competitor activity

Risk/Process:

• Work with Head of Buying to promote best practice risk and process management regarding sign off process for range cycles and continuous refresh of product within store
• Ensure regular reviews are undertaken in terms of price point structure.
• Ensure business risk to currency and region is effectively managed
• Ensure solid exit plan for discontinued stock
• Reduce stock capacity

DECISION MAKING/FREEDOM TO ACT

• Freedom to act day to day within a broad framework
• Able to develop a category plan that supports the overall company goals
• Financial sign off as per the business expenses policy
• Fast paced product introduction
• Authority over £80M of purchases annually
• Strategic thinking and proposals to support Head of Buying

STAKEHOLDERS

• Supply partners
• External suppliers
• All internal Customers: Topps Tiles, CTD, ProTiler, Tile Warehouse, Parkside, Fired Earth
• Yellow Band Managers: Supply chain, Operations, Merchandising, Marketing, L&D, Legal, H&S & Finance
• Executive Team and Leadership Group – focus on trading unit leaders (customers)

DIMENSIONS

Financial:

• Responsible for a supplier spend of circa £60m per annum
• Category accounts for 50% of total Topps Group sales
• Improvement of supplier trading terms and additional revenue streams
• Development of increased margin upside from effective relationships and sourcing
• Identify Group sourcing harmonisation opportunities

Essential:

Strong buying experience and a proven track record of over achievement and high performance in a retail buying roleInternational sourcing experienceAble to undertake overseas travelSuccess in developing healthy long term supplier relationshipsConstructively challenge opinions and status quoDemonstrate creative thinking, use of initiative and ‘thinking outside the box’Highly commercial with exceptional organisational, negotiation and influencing skillsProfessional and collaborative in approach, able to develop strong working relationships across the business and with suppliersStrong leadership skills