Associate Buyer - Toys

The Warehouse Group; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts across brands

Birthday leave

26 weeks parental leave

Free parking and EV charging

WFH Fridays

Wellbeing support

Job summary

The Warehouse Group in Auckland is seeking a Buyer for a 12-month parental leave coverage within our Toys category. You will support category strategies, build and source product ranges, and collaborate with Senior Buyers, Planning, Sourcing and suppliers to deliver compelling ranges that meet customer needs and trends.

This role offers hands-on buying experience in a fast-paced retailer, with exposure to lifecycle management, promotions, and cross-functional decision making.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years experience in Buying/Category Management or related retail role
• Experience in toys or fast-moving, trend-led categories preferred
• Strong commercial curiosity and customer focus
• Confident communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to analyse data and translate insights into action

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of category and product strategies
• Analyse sales performance, customer insights and market trends to identify opportunities
• Contribute to product range building, sourcing, and promotional planning with the Senior Buyer
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging customer trends
• Contribute to delivering sales, margin and customer experience outcomes across your category
• Support Senior Buyer across wider category with product execution and administration

Skills

Experience in Buying/Category Mgmt

Toys knowledge

Analytical mindset

Negotiation skills

Job description

Ready to turn your passion for products (and retail) into a career in buying?

Since 1982, The Warehouse has been part of the moments that shape Kiwi lives. From first school uniforms and furnishing your first flat to first pay packets and family milestones, generations of New Zealanders have grown up with our brand. That connection is at the heart of This Is Warehouse Country , celebrating the place The Warehouse holds in communities across Aotearoa.

Job Description

We've also been a place where retail careers have started (and grown!). Join our fast paced Toys team, that sits within the Leisure, Tech & Play division. You will help shape ranges and collections our customers love while building the commercial skills, confidence and experience needed to become a successful Buyer. The learning opportunities and insight into the world of retail will be unmatched!

Reporting into our Senior Buyers and working alongside passionate category buyers, you'll have hands‑on accountability for your own buying portfolio within Toys, and exposure to the full buying lifecycle, supporting the delivery of compelling product ranges that balance customer needs, market trends, and commercial outcomes.

No two days are the same as you’ll work closely with wider Buying, Planning, Sourcing, Design, suppliers and cross-functional teams, and contribute to decisions that influence what customers see when they shop with us.

What You'll Do

• Support the development and execution of category and product strategies.
• Analyse sales performance, customer insights and market trends to identify opportunities.
• In conjunction with the Senior Buyer, build/Source product ranges, manage product selection and/or product development, range/assortment decisions and promotional planning.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging customer trends.
• Contribute to delivering sales, margin and customer experience outcomes across your category.
• Support Senior Buyer across wider category with product execution and administration.

Qualifications

What you'll bring

You have a genuine interest in products, customers, naturally curious and enjoy understanding what influences customer buying decisions. Retail is dynamic and your work has impacts beyond the office – they land on shelves, racks and eventually in the hands and homes of our Kiwi shoppers!

You'll bring:

• 1 – 3 years experience in Buying/Category Management or related retail commercial role
• Previous buying experience in toys, branded products or other fast-moving, trend‑led categories preferred.
• Strong commercial curiosity and a genuine interest in customers, products and emerging market trends.
• Confident communication and negotiation skills, working with stakeholders and suppliers
• Comfortable analysing data and translating insights into action.
• Highly organised, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities & critical paths
• Retail is fast‑paced, deadline‑driven and exciting – you’ll thrive working in that environment!

Additional Information

Building Retail Careers Since 1982!

You'll work alongside some of New Zealand's most experienced retail professionals, gaining exposure to products, suppliers, customers and commercial decisions that shape our business every day and help build its future!

When you join us, we offer a range of benefits that work for you, your lifestyle and your career, including:

• Discounts across our brands
• Birthday leave and charity day off
• 26 weeks paid parental leave
• Free parking and EV charging at our Northshore Support Office
• We value collaboration, connection and flexibility, with 1 day (Friday) WFH
• A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities

If you're ready to turn your curiosity, commercial thinking and passion for products into a rewarding retail buying career, we'd love to hear from you.

Buyer - 12 month parental leave contract