An exciting opportunity for an experienced Buyer to take ownership of a key Bathroom category within one of the UK's leading home improvement retailers.

You'll be responsible for developing category strategy, managing supplier relationships, driving commercial performance and delivering innovative product ranges that enhance the customer proposition.

Our client is one of the UK's largest and most recognised home improvement retailers, serving millions of customers across stores and online. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and customer experience, they continue to invest heavily in their product offering and category development.

This role sits within the Commercial team and offers the opportunity to lead a strategically important product category, influencing supplier partnerships, product selection, pricing strategy and commercial performance. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across merchandising, marketing, logistics and finance, whilst having the autonomy to shape category direction and drive long-term growth.

The business offers a collaborative environment, strong career development opportunities and a flexible hybrid working model based from their Southampton Office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the category strategy in line with wider commercial objectives.
• Lead supplier negotiations, performance reviews and ongoing relationship management.
• Source and select branded and own-label products.
• Deliver trading plans through effective product and supplier management.
• Act as the category expert, providing insight and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Influence wider group initiatives and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Partner with Marketing to maximise promotional activity and customer engagement.
• Support sustainability objectives through responsible product selection and supplier partnerships.
• Manage pricing architecture and price index positioning.
• Drive sales, margin, market share and category performance.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Range & Space, Logistics, Finance and Channel teams.
• Support and manage team members where applicable.

• Proven buying experience within a retail environment, with demonstrable responsibility for the Bathroom category or closely related product categories.
• Strong commercial awareness with a track record of delivering sales, margin and category growth.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills, including experience leading commercial discussions and performance reviews.
• Ability to analyse customer, market and competitor insights to inform ranging, pricing and category decisions.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies aligned to wider business objectives.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience working cross-functionally across Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance and Operations.
• Experience leading category projects and delivering key commercial initiatives from concept through to implementation.

£55,000 + competitive benefits package.

Hybrid role – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home

EA First Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency for this permanent vacancy.