Buyer Vaping & Tobacco

Based; Swindon (with hybrid working)

Salary; competitive plus car allowance + private medical

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 be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Buyer Vaping and Tobacco to join our High Street Impulse Trading team at our Support Centre in Swindon.

The role of a Buyer is to drive the commercial performance of your category, managing with scale and complexity, so you will need to have previous relevant commercial experience from the Vape/Tobacco industry. You will be the key decision maker with the autonomy to deliver your category strategy.What you will be doing:

• Leading on a key priority category for the business
• Addressing our Tobacco range and pricing to deliver value for the customer and the business
• Driving nicotine alternatives over and above convention tobacco by improving the range, driving promotions and agreeing media campaigns
• Accountable for P&L of Tobacco. Ensuring costs, sales and supplier income targets are delivered
• Create pricing and promotional strategies for nicotine alternative products to drive sales into our key areas
• Identify new trends and suppliers entering the market to ensure we have the best customer offering
• Negotiating with and managing the supplier base, including a clear supplier strategy and the ongoing maintenance/improvement of terms
• Generating a continuous pipeline of value creating initiatives to deliver sales and profitability
• Being responsible for the category and trade plan that aligns to the overarching business plan
• Delivering projects and trials within your own area with cross functional engagement

What we are looking for:

• Previous buying/commercial experience within the Tobacco and Vaping category with strong negotiation skills– necessary
• Sense of urgency for goal achievementManages simultaneous projects, multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment
• Results focused idea generation. Innovative and creative problem solving. Rapport and relationship building focused on achieving results
• Action-oriented and collaborative decision making
• Extroverted, confident, enthusiastic, persuasive influences. Stimulates others to action
• Authoritative leadership based on generalist expertise and knowledge of systems
• Delegation of details as necessary, with follow up on timeliness and quality
• Accountability for results

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office(3 days office, 2 from home)
• 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 Contribution
• Sharesave Scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary and Car Allowance
• Private Medical
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online

About us 

Celebrating 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 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve. 

WHSmith have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts since 1792. Across our diverse estate of over 500 stores on UK high streets, with our wide-ranging store sizes and formats, we sell a large range of products including stationery, greeting cards, art and craft, newspapers, magazines, books and drinks. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. 

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!