Junior Buyer

dSb Recruitment Consultancy Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client in the UK is seeking a Junior Buyer to manage designated product categories, driving sales, margins and profitability from concept to launch. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver successful product introductions and attend trade shows for new opportunities.

The role requires hands-on buying, supplier negotiation, data-driven decisions and experience with Far East suppliers, based in an office just outside Manchester city centre.

Qualifications

• Experience owning product categories and managing commercial performance.
• Experience building ranges, sourcing, pricing and supplier negotiation.
• Experience with Far East suppliers and different countries of origin.
• Strong ability to use sales data to inform buying decisions.
• Understanding the Critical Path from concept through to launch.
• Commercial awareness including cost price, margin and profitability.
• Experience in electrical, lighting, home, DIY or similar non-fashion environments.
• Communicate effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Proactive, organized and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience coaching junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage designated product categories, driving sales, margin and profitability.
• Build and develop commercially strong ranges from concept to launch.
• Manage the Critical Path ensuring milestones and launches are delivered on time.
• Research market trends and identify new product opportunities.
• Source, negotiate and build relationships with suppliers across origins.
• Analyze sales, margin and product performance data to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, Marketing, Sales and Technical teams.
• Attend trade shows and contribute to product strategy.
• Monitor supplier performance, pricing and risks to meet standards.
• Support and coach junior team members.

Skills

Category ownership

Sourcing

Pricing

Supplier negotiation

Far East experience

Data-driven decisions

Tools

Shopify

ERP systems

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Junior Buyer to join a growing Buying team, with responsibility for a defined portfolio of product categories and ownership of their performance.

Working closely with the Buyer and Head of Buying, you will play an important role in shaping and developing commercially successful product ranges, from initial concept and sourcing through to launch. This is a hands‑on buying position where you will be expected to take ownership of your categories, using data, market insight and customer requirements to make informed product and sourcing decisions.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Own and manage designated product categories, driving sales, margin and profitability performance.
• Build and develop commercially strong ranges, from initial concept and sourcing through to launch.
• Manage the Critical Path, ensuring key milestones and product launches are delivered on time.
• Research market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements to identify new product opportunities.
• Source, negotiate and build strong relationships with suppliers, including those across different countries of origin. Far East experience is advantageous.
• Analyse sales, margin and product performance data to inform buying and ranging decisions.
• Work closely with Product, Merchandising, Marketing, Sales and Technical teams to deliver successful product launches.
• Attend trade shows, identify new commercial opportunities and contribute to product strategy.
• Monitor supplier performance, pricing and supply risks, ensuring products meet relevant standards and company requirements.
• Support and coach more junior members of the Buying team, while contributing to process improvements and wider business projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Assistant Buyer ready to take the next step into a Junior Buyer position, or an existing Junior Buyer looking for greater category ownership and exposure within a growing business.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

We're looking for a commercially minded Buyer who is passionate about product and thrives in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

You will ideally:

• Be an experienced Assistant Buyer ready to step up, or already operating at Junior Buyer level.
• Have experience owning your own product categories and managing commercial performance.
• Have strong experience across range building, product sourcing, pricing and supplier negotiation.
• Ideally have experience working with Far East suppliers and different countries of origin.
• Be confident using sales and commercial data to inform buying and ranging decisions.
• Understand the Critical Path and experience taking products from concept through to launch.
• Have strong commercial awareness, including cost price, margin and profitability.
• Ideally have experience within electrical, lighting, home, DIY, consumer products or another non‑fashion product environment.
• Be confident communicating with suppliers and cross‑functional teams and have the ability to influence at all levels.
• Be proactive, organised and comfortable working in a fast‑paced, changing business.
• Ideally have some experience supporting or coaching more junior team members.

Importantly, we're looking for strong transferable buying experience.The ability to understand product, sourcing, pricing, range building and supplier management within a product‑led environment is key to success in this role.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a growing UK product business currently going through an exciting period of transformation and growth, with sales up significantly and investment underway across the business, including a new Shopify website and ERP system.

You'll join a close‑knit Buying team with plenty of opportunity to take ownership, influence product strategy and play a key role in the continued growth of the business. Located just outside the city centre - office‑based