Regional Senior Buyer

Merlin Entertainments - Corporate; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global entertainment company is seeking a Regional Senior Buyer UK in Chertsey. This role involves leading a team to optimize retail assortment strategies and ensuring compliance while driving commercial performance. Ideal candidates will have strong negotiation skills, deep retail expertise, and proven team leadership experience. The position offers competitive salary and attractive benefits including Merlin Annual Passes, a company bonus, and ongoing development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Merlin Annual Passes

Company bonus

Private pension scheme

Discount on LEGO products

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an established Buyer in the retail industry.
• In-depth knowledge of retail range development across key categories.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Excellent financial analysis capabilities.
• Experience leading and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Regional Buyers to drive the retail assortment strategy.
• Develop regional pricing strategies for product assortments.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for retail merchandise.
• Curate non-IP product ranges to maximize profit density.
• Collaborate with global teams to achieve commercial objectives.

Skills

Retail buying expertise

Negotiation skills

Vendor management

Financial acumen

Excellent communication

Team leadership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

The Regional Senior Buyer UK at Merlin Entertainments will lead a team of Regional Buyers to drive and deliver the retail assortment strategy for our non‑LEGO attractions in the UK and globally. Working in partnership with the global Buying, Merchandising, and Compliance teams, they will ensure the company meets relevant regulatory standards for retail merchandise and delivers on ESG commitments.

This role brings deep buying and assortment expertise to optimise commercial performance across UK attractions and, through the Regional Buyers, globally. They will curate and create inspirational non‑IP product ranges that drive sales, inspire guests, and maximise profit density. Acting as the regional voice within the global buying team, they will shape the UK product proposition, develop regional pricing strategies, and deliver against vendor contribution, rebate, and stock efficiency targets. They will play a key role in bringing Merlin brands and IPs to life, supporting the mission of delivering world‑class guest experiences.

The Regional Senior Buyer UK is responsible for planning and delivering an optimal product assortment, including bespoke and off‑the‑shelf products, cost of goods, and placement strategies. In collaboration with Global Buyers, Merchandising, Space Planning, and Commercial Excellence teams, they will ensure the right balance between commercial objectives and operational needs. They will also lead the Regional Buyers to achieve the same objectives on a global scale. This role extends Merlin’s mission of creating “Memorable Experiences” by ensuring retail products consistently surprise and delight our guests.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience as an established Buyer within the retail industry, leading teams and operating within a global business.
• In‑depth expert knowledge of retail range development across key categories, development and buying practices, market trends, and assessing consumer behaviour.
• Entrepreneurial, can‑do attitude, ambitious, with an ability to identify potential and seize business opportunities.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and contract management skills.
• Experience of sourcing and shipping on a direct basis from countries worldwide.
• Excellent financial acumen and ability to analyse data to make informed decisions.
• Proficient user of common IT systems, especially Microsoft.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with evidence of collaborating with internal stakeholders, cross‑functional teams and building effective vendor relationships.
• Experience of leading and developing teams and individuals.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes – 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
• Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
• Company bonus
• Private pension scheme
• 40% discount online off LEGO
• 25% discount in our on‑site retail shops and restaurants
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Plus, many more…

Pay Range

Competitive