Buyer (Chilled Snacking)

Location: Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, London, GB-LND, United Kingdom, E1 8FA

Contract type: Permanent

Brand: WHSmith Travel

Pay: Competitive

Apply now
Female_colleague_smiling.png

A JOURNEY
THAT COULD
TAKE YOU PLACES.

Job Overview

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers, the ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can think creatively, act boldly and do their very best work.

We’re now looking for a Buyer – Chilled and Snacking to join our fast-paced UK Travel team. This is a high-impact role where you’ll take full ownership of a complex, high-volume category, with the autonomy to shape strategy and deliver commercial success across all WHSmith formats.

As Buyer, you’ll be the key decision-maker for your category, driving sales, profitability, and innovation. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to build a compelling, customer-led snacking offer that performs across our travel estate.

What you will be doing:

  • Own and deliver sales and profit targets for your category
  • Curating the optimal customer-focused assortment to meet commercial goals
  • Developing and delivering a robust category and trade plan aligned to the wider business strategy
  • Creating a strong pipeline of value-driving initiatives to accelerate growth
  • Leading supplier negotiations and managing long-term supplier relationships
  • Defining pricing and promotional strategies
  • Sourcing and developing products and suppliers in line with category strategy
  • Delivering projects and trials with cross-functional teams
  • Contributing to the annual budget and forecasting process

What we are looking for:

  • Previous buying or relevant commercial experience
  • Strong commercial acumen with excellent numerical and analytical skills
  • Confident negotiation skills and supplier management experience
  • The ability to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
  • A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
  • Strong IT skills, including Excel and PowerPoint
  • A collaborative team player with a passion for delivering results

How we reward our teams:

  • Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
  • 4pm Friday Finish
  • Flexible Working
  • 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
  • Family Friendly Leave
  • Company Pension scheme
  • Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
  • Competitive Salary and Car Allowance
  • Private Medical
  • Cycle to work scheme

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our business operates from two key locations. Our UK Travel and International office is based in a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.

Across both locations, we're an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration, and innovation. We foster an entrepreneurial culture where people are encouraged to take initiative, embrace new challenges, and help shape the future of our business.

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.

We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!

Our values

We strive to be outward-facing and customer-focused:
an organisation that keeps its promises. Living our four key values is an important part of achieving this aim.

Customer Focus

We keep the customer at the heart of all that we do.

Value Our People

Our people are respected and valued in an honest, open environment.

Drive for Results

We push ourselves to achieve ambitious and competitive results – delivered with pace.

Accountability

We take personal responsibility and deliver what we say we will.

Buyer (Chilled Snacking)

Location: Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, London, GB-LND, United Kingdom, E1 8FA

Contract type: Permanent

Brand: WHSmith Travel

Pay: Competitive

Apply now