Buyer

We’re looking for an experienced Buyer to join our retail team and look after our property theme ranges. 

We’re responsible for planning and delivering the National Trust's product and supplier strategy, managing sales over £30m per year. This is a challenging and exciting role that will prioritise our long-term commercial growth plans and ensuring our offer is competitive and matches current market trends. 

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months.

What it's like to work here

There’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of our multi-site retail business that puts people and places at the heart of its work. We have a clear strategic direction and a huge amount of opportunity and ambition. This crucial and exciting role provides a chance to play a key part in driving profitable, sustainable growth that helps the charity to deliver its core purpose, whilst enhancing our visitor’s experiences at our places. 

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office every Wednesday and Thursday. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

What you'll be doing

You'll create ranges that link to our cause, engaging both the organisation and our supporters - in turn extending the Trust’s reach and emotional connection to our audiences. Focusing on Theme product you’ll curate ranges that relate to the place they are sold, extending and enriching the visitor experience in the retail environment. You’ll be responsible for managing multiple categories across Theme and Books, requiring strong negotiation, communication and commercial decision-making skills. 

In addition, you'll provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Buyers Admin Assistant, managing workload, development and performance to ensure the buying function operates efficiently and effectively. 

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role. 

Who we're looking for

You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale; 

Knowledge of the UK retail market and worldwide supplier base for the relevant product areas 

An understanding of product design, product development and manufacturing processes 

Experience of Property theme range building, product management and understanding of the drivers for customer satisfaction, repeat business, spend, margins and profitability across multiple sites and online 

Knowledge of buying planning systems 

Experience in ensuring policies, frameworks and standards are fully implemented 

Excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to build relationships in a multi-stakeholder environment 

Experience in analysing data to produce insight which drives performance 

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places