Senior Buyer - Gardening

Package Description

• £Competitive Salary
• Based at our Liverpool Head Office

Employee Benefits

• Discounted onsite gym
• Contributable company pension scheme
• 10% store discount at all our retail stores
• Death in Service Benefit
• Long service recognition scheme
• MyHB colleague benefits platform with access to:- Discounts UK wide on retail, leisure, hospitality venues
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential counselling and advice line
• Completely confidential services to you.
• Low-cost voluntary insured health cash plans and cancer cover

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Category team. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded individual to take ownership of their ranges, making sure our products offer great value, choice, quality, and availability for our customers. You’ll play a key role in shaping ranges that reflect sales performance, seasonal demand, market trends, and customer needs, while ensuring product quality, compliance, and price meet our high standards.

As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for developing and delivering branded and own label product ranges – including seasonal, outdoor living, and related lines – from concept through to launch. You’ll source, review, and negotiate with suppliers to secure the best products at the right price, while driving innovation and promotional opportunities.

This role reports into a Category Manager and supports the overall delivery of the category plan, while taking day-to-day responsibility for supplier management, category performance, and resolving operational challenges. There will also be some travel required as part of the role, including supplier meetings, trade shows, and store visits.

Job Overview

• Developing branded and own label ranges based on customer insight, sales data, seasonal trends, and market activity.
• Carrying out supplier reviews, negotiating new opportunities, and introducing fresh promotional ideas.
• Managing the end-to-end product development cycle – from sample reviews through to store placement.
• Setting objectives, coaching, and supporting the development of a trainee or junior buyer.
• Managing supplier performance against agreed KPIs and ensuring stock availability through accurate forecasting.
• Creating and implementing in-store and online promotions, including visual merchandising guides.
• Keeping up to date with competitor activity, attending trade shows, and using market research to inform buying decisions.
• Travelling where required for supplier meetings, trade shows, store visits, and other business needs.
• Working closely with cross-functional teams including Logistics, Retail Operations, Product Safety, Graphics, and Finance.

Minimum Criteria to Apply

• Extensive experience in retail buying and merchandising within a fast-paced retail environment, ideally with experience in seasonal, outdoor living, branded, own label, or related categories.
• A recognised qualification in retail buying and/or general merchandising, degree equivalent, or significant relevant experience.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence and build relationships.
• A proven commercial mindset and strong customer focus.
• Experience working effectively with cross-functional teams.
• The ability to drive continuous improvement, manage supplier performance, and develop talent within your team.
• Flexibility to travel as required for supplier meetings, trade shows, store visits, and wider business requirements.
• A proactive, results-driven approach with excellent organisational skills.