Junior Buyer - Food & Treats

Hybrid: We welcome applications from those looking for hybrid working, based 3 days per week in our Handforth (Cheshire) Office

About the Role

As a Junior Buyer for Food & Treats, you’ll take ownership of your category’s sales and margin performance, playing a key role in delivering against our business plan. You’ll shape and execute a customer-focused range strategy, using market trends and insights to keep Pets at Home ahead of the competition, while also leading on supplier negotiations and trading terms.

This is a fast-paced, hands-on role where you’ll balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring the right decisions are made for our customers and our business. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative team, giving you great exposure across the business and a unique opportunity to learn how different functions come together to drive success.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver category financial performance against targets, providing regular updates on progress
• Support the development and execution of the category strategy, using market trends and data to differentiate Pets at Home
• Lead the development and launch of innovative product ranges, ensuring delivery to deadlines and right-first-time execution
• Plan and deliver effective, customer-focused promotional activity
• Monitor market pricing and respond to competitor activity accordingly
• Use customer insights (including loyalty data) to inform decisions and drive category growth
• Collaborate with online and store teams to create a seamless, multi-channel customer experience
• Build and manage strong relationships with key suppliers, including joint business planning and negotiating trading terms
• Manage own-brand supplier partnerships to deliver value and cost savings
• Work cross-functionally with teams such as supply, merchandising and marketing to drive performance
• Partner with retail teams to resolve issues and support sales growth
• Manage day-to-day category administration efficiently

About You – What you’ll bring to the role

You’ll already have experience working within a Buying team or a closely related function, with a good understanding of managing supplier relationships. You might be an existing Junior Buyer, or an experienced Buying Assistant ready to take the next step in your career.

You have a track record of delivering right-first-time execution and bring strong attention to detail in everything you do. A confident communicator, you’re comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders both internally and externally. You’re also PC literate and able to manage your workload effectively in a fast-paced environment.

It would be beneficial if you have strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, along with experience using data management systems (such as loading new lines, promotions and price changes). An understanding of supplier trading terms would also be advantageous.

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you