Head of Buying
My client, one of Ireland’s leading food retail and wholesale companies is seeking a strategic and commercial Head of Buying to join their well-established team. The successful candidate will be tasked with overseeing the commercial metrics across various categories within both the retail and wholesale sectors. Additionally, they will lead and manage the trading teams.
As the Head of Buying, you’ll spearhead dynamic strategies for product categories, ensuring financial targets like budgeted margin and LTA are met. You’ll foster key supplier relationships and drive impactful agendas with preferred partners.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Agile working
- Car Allowance
Responsibilities of this Head of Buying role include:
- Meeting sales and margin targets for your categories and central billing units.
- Enhancing group terms and conditions through negotiations with suppliers in line with the overall strategy.
- Crafting partnership agendas with the client’s preferred supplier partners.
- Managing and nurturing a specific portfolio of suppliers and brands.
- Steering brand portfolio management, including introducing new brands and phasing out existing ones as per market demands.
- Achieving budgeted LTA, Marketing, and other purchasing income streams.
- Improving retailer gross margins while maintaining the price file.
- Identifying and capitalising on new sales opportunities and suppliers.
- Sourcing products for retail and wholesale promotions.
- Meeting customer demands regarding range, pricing, presentation, and promotions.
- Conducting regular retailer visits to identify business prospects and boost sales.
- Ensuring commercial and sales teams effectively manage regulatory and legislative changes.
- Collaborating with and supporting other commercial and replenishment team members for cohesive divisional operations.
Requirements of this Head of Buying role include:
- Bachelor’s degree /MBA or similar
- Experience working with Buying within the FMCG sector
- Strategic thinking ability
- Excellent analytical & negotiation skills
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work independently and yet lead & inspire a team.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call Aoife Clarke 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
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Beauty Buyer
My client, a luxury retailer in beauty, fashion, home & living, gifts, and much more is seeking to recruit a Beauty Buyer. The successful candidate will develop the business strategies by sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a broad range of beauty brands. Dublin City based.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Agile Working
- Staff Discount
Responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the Buying Director to devise and execute a robust commercial and creative strategy for the designated area.
- Demonstrate a strong commercial orientation, adeptness with budgets, and a track record of achieving commercial objectives.
- Exercise purchasing authority guided by a sound commercial framework to drive sales and profitability.
- Stay attuned to shifts in public opinion and consumer preferences, leveraging expertise in Beauty Brands to spearhead category-sourcing efforts.
- Conduct sales analysis to pinpoint areas for enhancement, leveraging experience to cultivate and fortify commercial relationships with suppliers and partners, while assessing and appraising current suppliers.
- Negotiate favourable terms with suppliers, encompassing margins, trade discounts, and markdown support.
- Ensure diligent management of vendor terms, overseeing monthly gross profit reports and adherence to cost and payroll stipulations.
- Maintain comprehensive oversight of all inventory-related data and insights, including season forecasting, OTB, stock levels, clearance, RTV, and breakstocks across all brands.
- Assess brand performance through thorough analysis and manage existing brands accordingly.
- Foster regular communication with the Head of Digital and their teams to optimise beauty category placement and productivity across digital platforms.
- Engage with Beauty Department managers and General Managers to optimise merchandise allocation for space utilisation, maximising productivity and cost efficiency per square foot, and ensuring impeccable presentation.
Requirements include:
- Commercially focused, experience with budgets, and the ability to achieve revenue growth.
- An experienced people manager with experience leading, training & developing a buying team.
- Ambitious and target focused.
- Proven track record of managing relationships.
- Strong influencing skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and a strong negotiator.
- Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call Aoife Clarke 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
Food Safety and Quality Technical Specialist
My client, a highly successful Irish food manufacturer is seeking a Food Safety and Quality Technical Specialist to provide administrative support at each phase of the supply chain from source to consumer. This is an amazing opportunity to join a highly progressive employer that values its employees. Dublin based.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Staff discount
- Career progression opportunities
Responsibilities of this Food Safety and Quality Technical Specialist include:
- Support implementation and maintenance of Food Safety & Quality Management systems and associated procedures.
- Ensure products meet specifications through internal monitoring and assessments.
- Manage product specifications for raw materials, finished products, and processes.
- Optimize Product Quality Inspection points to enhance quality awareness and consistency.
- Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly QC checks to maintain FS&Q Standards.
- Perform HACCP/CCP Verification checks and product inspections.
- Monitor cleaning and environmental hygiene.
- Conduct internal audits (e.g., hygiene, glass) and coordinate customer complaints investigation.
- Report non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
- Review and maintain quality documents for compliance.
- Ensure full product traceability throughout the process.
- Attend meetings as requested and contribute positively.
- Complete project work to improve Food Safety and Quality initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with ISO and FSSC 22000 standards and customer requirements.
Requirements for this Food Safety and Quality Technical Specialist include:
- Science/ Food Science Qualification is essential.
- Minimum 1 year of experience in food manufacturing is desirable.
- Computer literate.
- Good communication and problem solving skills.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
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Senior Fashion Buyer
My client, a luxury retailer in fashion, home & living, gifts, and much more is seeking to recruit a Senior Fashion Buyer. The successful candidate will support, lead, manage, and motivate individual fashion buying teams within the fashion buying division. Dublin City based.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Agile Working
- Staff Discount
Responsibilities for this Senior Fashion Buyer role include:
- Responsible for crafting comprehensive commercial strategies in collaboration with the Fashion Director, Head of Trade, Buying Teams, and Merchandise team.
- Implement transformative buying plans, ensuring optimal merchandise quality and quantities to meet budgeted sales and profit targets.
- Make buying decisions based on a solid commercial framework, staying ahead of market trends to drive category growth and competitiveness.
- Analyse sales data to identify areas for improvement and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and partners.
- Manage vendor terms, gross profit reports, and operational targets while providing clear direction and continuous feedback to the team.
- Oversee high-level stock data and metrics, ensuring optimal product availability and range planning.
- Monitor competitors and brand projections to seize opportunities and strengthen market position.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align merchandise allocation and presentation strategies.
- Participate in buying trips, ensuring merchandise reflects brand image and commitment to quality.
- Plan merchandise promotions and advertising in consultation with Marketing and Retail Operations.
- Foster an inclusive workplace and support the growth of the buying team through recruitment and development initiatives.
Requirements for this Senior Fashion Buyer role include:
- We seek an enthusiastic senior buying professional poised for career advancement or already seasoned at this level and seeking fresh challenges.
- As a forward thinker, you’ll be well-versed in seasonal trends and adept at cultivating robust relationships with our suppliers.
- Strong leadership skills and an ability to inspire buying teams.
- Commercially focused, experience with budgets, and a proven ability to achieve stretching commercial targets.
- Proven track record of generating new business and achieving revenue growth.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
#AISAOI
Homeware Buyer
My client, a luxury retailer in fashion, home & living, gifts, and much more is seeking to recruit a Homeware Buyer. The successful candidate will develop the business strategies by sourcing, selecting, and purchasing a broad range of homeware and lifestyle brands. Dublin City based.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Agile Working
- Staff Discount
Responsibilities for this Homeware Buyer role include:
- Source and select merchandise assortments consistent with the strategy of the store and place orders with suppliers.
- Collaborate with different business areas including Finance, Marketing, Creative, etc.
- Manage and build commercial and business relationships with our suppliers and partners and monitor and evaluate existing suppliers.
- Analyse sales of your department identifying areas for improvements.
- Liaise with the multi-channel team ensuring the range is visible online and recommend adjustments to drive online business.
- Partaking in buying trips and participating in the buying process ensuring that merchandise quality, mix, and taste reflects company image.
- To work with the Finance Director and Living & Home Director to prepare and review budgets and ensure you work within limits set to achieve target sales and margins.
- To monitor and control stock levels in homeware and build close relationships with the DC and after-sales team.
- To plan merchandise promotions/advertising in consultation with the homeware director, marketing, buyers, and general managers
- To identify slow-turning stock problem areas and take appropriate action while ensuring that markdowns are kept within budgetary limits.
Requirements for this Homeware Buyer role include:
- Industry experience in leading organisations at Buyer level, preferably with a homeware background.
- Proven ability to project manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, applying strong time management qualities to meet the required deadlines
- Strong leadership skills and an ability to inspire buying teams.
- Commercially focused, experience with budgets, and a proven ability to achieve stretching commercial targets.
- Proven track record of generating new business and achieving revenue growth.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
#AISAOI
Buyer – FMCG
My client, a highly popular Irish and UK discount retailer is currently recruiting a Buyer – FMCG to join their team. As a Buyer, you will be responsible for delivering the sales and margins for your given product range. This is an amazing opportunity to join a passionate employer and work in a dynamic buying office. North-West Dublin based.
Package
- Salary €50-60k doe
- Bonus
- Car allowance
- Pension
- Healthcare
- Flexible hours
- Car parking
Responsibilities of this Buyer – FMCG role include:
- Predict and identify and react to market trends by attending trade fairs and shows, understanding high street trends.
- Forecast future buying needs and proactively source new product and categories based on customer insight.
- Liaise with Merchandisers on the sourcing of product that meets promotional and seasonal activity, planning sales, stocks, margins, and space densities to continuously monitor performance of brands and drive trade.
- Visit factories to develop ranges, negotiate the cost of goods, explore new markets in developing countries/economies.
- Visit suppliers (Worldwide) to review product, price and supplier performance.
- Negotiate payment terms that favourably influence the cash flow of the business.
- Proactively manage supplier relationships to identify areas where greater savings or business advantage could be made through supplier strategies.
- Coach junior members of the team and share good practice across the wider team.
- Own the development of category strategies including research and analysis (spend analysis, make vs. buy, cost benchmarking, etc.) to identify category saving opportunities and develop strategic category plans.
Requirements for this Buyer – FMCG role include:
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in buying with a good understanding of the whole retail process down to store level.
- Thorough understanding of the supply chain process and product and logistical issues.
- Experience managing relationships with suppliers.
- Maintain knowledge of the market by reading relevant journals and media.
- Strong IT skills, specifically in Excel and PowerPoint.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call Aoife Clarke 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
#AOSAOI
Buyer – FMCG
Our client, one of Ireland’s leading convenience roadside retailers is looking for a Buyer – FMCG to join their vibrant team. The successful candidate will be a confident people person who can adopt a hands-on approach. Citywest based.
Package on offer:
- Generous salary doe
- Bonus
- Pension
- Healthcare
- Free Lunch & Parking
- Agile working
Responsibilities of this Buyer – FMCG role:
- Assume full responsibility for sales, margin, budget management, and stockholding.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential suppliers, leading negotiations to ensure efficient workflow and pricing.
- Stay informed on market and industry trends through competitor analysis to ensure competitiveness of offerings.
- Source new and innovative high-quality product development opportunities, overseeing them from concept to execution.
- Strategically plan and develop range plans for both core and seasonal products.
- Track, report and present on sales performance to senior management.
Experience required for this Buyer – FMCG role:
- Minimum 3+ years in buying/trading.
- High proficiency in all Microsoft Office software essential.
- Strong academics, business-related degree an advantage.
- Proven ability to build strong relationships with all internal stakeholders.
- Energetic and enthusiastic with a desire to achieve success.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
- Power BI or equivalent beneficial.
- SAP experience advantageous.
- Experience within a FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) retail environment advantageous.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
#AISAOI
Beauty Buyer
My client one of Ireland’s most iconic beauty brands requires a Beauty Buyer to join their vibrant team. Due to the rapid expansion of their portfolio, they are seeking someone with previous buying experience to develop, manage, and drive the portfolio. This is an amazing chance to join an award-winning cosmetics company.
Package
- Generous salary doe
- Healthcare
- Pension
- Hybrid working
- Flexible working hours
- Staff discount
- Free car parking
Responsibilities of this Beauty Buyer job include:
- Manage all product development for the cosmetics brand.
- Work closely with the Graphic Designer on all design briefs regarding formulation, componentry, and packaging.
- Forecast and manage stock levels on all lines.
- Financial analysis on the range.
- Manage product samples and daily communication with the supply base to adhere to timely production schedules.
- Liaise with the Marketing Team to ensure product samples and required information for campaigns and launches are sufficiently organised promptly.
- Product display management. This may include counter displays, floor stands, press boxes, retail window displays, etc.
- Regularly monitor competitor pricing, product launches, and movements.
- Keep up to date with new and innovative beauty trends.
Requirements for this Beauty Buyer job include:
- Minimum 2-3 years of relevant Buying experience, preferably in Beauty.
- Ability to take initiative and resolve issues.
- Creative flair and great attention to detail.
- Critical thinking and negotiation skills.
- Excellent computer skills (Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint).
- Commercial aptitude and business acumen.
- Passion for beauty.
- Occasional international travel.
Aoife Clarke is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
#AISAOI
Assistant Fashion Buyer
Excel Recruitment has an amazing opportunity for a passionate and trend focused Assistant Fashion Buyer to join our client, a well-established multisite retailer. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to continue within head office buying but who is also looking to challenge themselves within an innovative and progressive retail environment. Dublin city centre based.
Package:
- Salary €40-50k plus generous benefits
Responsibilities of this Assistant Fashion Buyer job include:
- Assist the Buyer in building the range plan to deliver a commercially viable balanced product range at competitive prices.
- Critical path management, ensuring that all critical dates are achieved.
- Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers and regularly review their performance.
- Raise orders – ensuring accurate info in line with buyers’ direction, accurate packing info, shipping details and merchandising input on ratio.
- Proactively sourcing new product ideas through research (online, street style, competitors etc.) in line with the company sustainability policies.
- Visit stores on regular basis communicating relevant feedback.
- Identify and select vendors and suppliers using criteria such as quantity and quality of commodities, price, and delivery date.
- Determine the correct method to process purchase requisitions depending on total cost, timeliness, competitive bidding, and existing contracts.
- You will be responsible for managing large budgets, forecasting and monitoring market trends.
Requirements for this Assistant Fashion Buyer job include:
- A passion for fashion.
- 2 years of buying experience.
- Third level qualification – Fashion or a Business related qualification is desirable.
- Strong Excel skills and excellent numerical ability is essential.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and work to tight deadlines.
- An understanding of the customer and the ability to creatively develop product that addresses identified trends.
- Ability to build strong working relationships both externally & internally.
Aoife McCaul is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call Aoife McCaul 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
Fashion Buyer – Ladieswear
My client, an Irish leading retailer for food, fashion and home is seeking a passionate and trend driven Fashion Buyer to join their team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a highly commercial and progressive buying office for one of the most iconic fashion retailers in Ireland. Dublin city centre based.
Package:
Salary – €60-€80k plus generous benefits
Responsibilities of this Fashion Buyer job include:
- Source, develop and build product ranges to reflect current trends, ensuring each range is commercial and meets company objectives, sales targets and customer needs
- Analyse performance and review current range to ensure that sales, margins and profit are achieved
- To devise and negotiate competitive terms and conditions with suppliers to ensure mutually beneficial relations and sustainability for both parties
- Take appropriate action in-season on repeats, cancellations and rescheduling of orders
- Prepare for & present regular range reviews and presentations
- Negotiating with a wide supply base to ensure best possible price and margin for goods is achieved
- Maintaining and building strong working relationships with supply base and sourcing new suppliers
- Keep up to date with and interpreting trends and constantly reviewing competitors in the market place
- Collaborating with the design team on trends and product development
- Take responsibility for own development as well as manage the training of junior team members
- Manage product lifecycle from launch through to exit of terminal ranges.
Requirements for this Fashion Buyer job include:
- 5+ years’ experience in a similar role
- Passion for product
- Skilled negotiation techniques, organisational and influencing skills
- Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with other stake holders
Aoife McCaul is handling the recruitment for this role in complete confidentiality. Please upload your CV below and she will be in touch should you have the correct experience for the position. For more jobs like this, please visit the Excel Recruitment website or call Aoife McCaul 01 871 7613 for more information. Unfortunately, due to volume only suitable applicants can be contacted.
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