Buying Manager - Stationery

Buying Manager – Stationery

London

Hybrid - (4 days in the office, some travel within the UK required for this role.)

Role Overview

I’m looking for an experienced Senior Buyer / Buying Manager to join a well loved specialist retailer - taking full ownership of private-label stationery.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Range Planning: Formulate and execute long-term commercial buying strategies for dedicated private-label lines, aligning range building with broader market trends and customer insights.
• End-to-End Product Creation: Direct full product development cycles, taking ideas from preliminary concepts through sourcing, supplier contract negotiations, packaging design, and quality assurance.
• Commercial & Financial Management: Take full P&L accountability for allocated categories—tracking sales, stock turnover, and gross margins to ensure targets are hit or exceeded.
• Global Sourcing & Vendor Partnerships: Expand and optimize an international supply network, placing a strong emphasis on Far East manufacturing, cost efficiency, and design innovation.
• Market & Insight Analysis: Track consumer habits, industry innovations, and competitive landscapes to uncover unexploited product opportunities.
• Executive Communication: Deliver performance metrics, range plans, and strategic proposals directly to executive leaders and main stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Buying Experience: Proven track record operating at a senior buyer level, preferably with stationery experience.
• Vendor & Sourcing Expertise: Robust background in international supply chain management, complex pricing negotiations, and vendor relation management.
• Financial Acumen: Demonstrated capability to manage multi-million-pound budgets, drive margin improvements, and maintain clean inventory levels.
• Analytical Capability: High proficiency in translating raw sales data and consumer research into actionable commercial initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management: Assertive communicator capable of influencing senior executives and collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams.

If this sounds like something you might like to discuss please reach out today to schedule a call.