Lead Buyer

**Company Description**
Our purpose at The Warehouse Group (TWG) is ‘Helping Kiwis live better every day” and this guides how we show up every day. Part of Aotearoa’s iconic stable of brands is Warehouse Stationery, where we believe in making it easy for our customers to do their best work; we do it by providing a full range of products, services and solutions for businesses, customers and students.

Due to an internal move, we’re looking for an experienced Lead Buyer to oversee and take accountability for our Art & Craft category Diverse in customers and unique store footprints (Warehouse Stationery have stand-alone stores and SWAS (Store within a store within The Warehouse stores) - this role will offer exciting complexities in buying & trading

Our Art & Craft category is creative, trend-focused and full of opportunities to innovate - helping our customers unleash creativity, fuel interests & hobbies and bring projects to life As Lead Buyer - Art & Craft you’ll have the autonomy to shape category strategy, architect and build effective product range while delivering on key commercial objectives. Plus you’ll mentor & develop your team (1 x buyer, 1 x category specialist) to achieve greater success and development in their buying career

Collaborate and work cross-functionally across our wider team ensuring the range and trading is performing to its fullest potential - maximise delivery of your commercial plans and optimise the trading performance of the category, keeping both proactive and responsive to market trends, customer demands and seasonal opportunities.

Develop a strong merchandise strategy, effectively negotiate with brand suppliers and oversee direct sourcing critical paths, plan market-leading promotional campaigns and trading activities, assortment planning and with the review of existing and new products.
**Qualifications**
Retail is dynamic, fast-paced and competitive - you’ll be highly motivated, strategic and decisive in your decision-making & thinking. You can easily point to a proven track record and successes Your buying and negotiation skills (both direct sourcing and working with branded suppliers) and trading mindset is a must Strong commercial acumen and a deep understanding of the customer, retail levers and how to achieve results in an ever-changing retail environment will ensure you’ll thrive

Collaborative in your approach, you can build trust and partnership with stakeholders. Leading by example and effective management skills will see you bring the best out of your team too

Our wish-list includes:

- Significant buying/category management experience within retail
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a team
- Experience in managing commercial performance, including range planning, pricing, and promotions.
- Proven negotiation skills working with suppliers and experience in direct/private label sourcing
- Collaborative working style and excellent communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Ability to think strategically and drive results while maintaining a clear focus on the customer and market trends.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders.

**Additional Information** Come work with us**

We are intentional about finding the right people to drive things forward in our brand-centric, retail-focused journey - allowing us to perform work as a team that truly makes a difference What we can promise in return is work that will challenge and excite, excellent career opportunities and working with a close, connected group of passionate like-minded people.

Benefits include:

- Discounts across our brands
- Paid birthday day off for permanent team members
- Free parking at our Northshore support office
- We value collaboration & flexibility - embracing hybrid working - up to 2 days working from home per week
- Onsite gym and café at our Northcote support office
- 26 weeks paid parental leave for permanent team members
- A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities