Buyer / Senior Buyer Consumer Products & Gifting Greater Manchester

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Buyer / Senior Buyer to join a well-established and growing consumer products business with a diverse portfolio across gifting, lifestyle and home-related categories.

This is a hands-on buying role where you will have genuine ownership across sourcing, product development, supplier management and commercial performance. Working closely with international suppliers and manufacturers, you will help shape and develop commercially successful ranges from initial concept through to launch.

The business operates in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where initiative, commercial thinking and the ability to make decisions are highly valued. This is a fantastic opportunity for a buyer who enjoys being close to the product and wants to have a real influence on the direction and growth of a business.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end buying process across a varied consumer product portfolio.

• Source and develop new products in line with market trends, customer requirements and commercial objectives.

• Work closely with overseas factories, suppliers and agents from initial concept through to sampling and production.

• Negotiate costs, MOQs, lead times and commercial terms.

• Build commercially balanced ranges across different categories and price points.

• Monitor product and range performance, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.

• Make recommendations around new product development, continuation and discontinuation.

• Maintain a strong focus on margin, landed cost, stock and overall commercial return.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with international suppliers and manufacturing partners.

• Attend UK and international trade shows and supplier meetings.

• Travel internationally as required, including regular travel to overseas sourcing markets.

• Contribute to wider buying and product strategy as the business continues to grow.

About You

• Proven experience within a Buyer or Senior Buyer position, ideally within consumer products, gifting, homeware, lifestyle, accessories or a related product category.

• Genuine hands-on buying experience with responsibility for making commercial buying decisions.

• Strong product development and sourcing experience, particularly with overseas suppliers.

• Strong commercial understanding of margin, landed cost, stock and profitability.

• Excellent eye for product, with the ability to identify commercially viable opportunities.

• Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.

• Proactive, practical and commercially minded, with the confidence to take ownership and make decisions.

• Comfortable working in a less corporate, entrepreneurial environment.

• Willing and able to undertake regular international travel, including trips to the Far East.

• Experience within a wholesale, importer, distributor or trading environment would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience

• Company car or car allowance

• Contributory pension scheme

• Life insurance

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday off

• Regular international travel opportunities

• Genuine long-term progression and development opportunities

BH37345