Buyer - Expressions of Interest!

Are you passionate about discovering exciting new products? WHSmith is opening Expressions of Interest for upcoming Buying opportunities! If you’re an experienced Buyer or Category Manager and ready to take the next step in your career, we want to hear from you!

• Exciting opportunity to join a well-established international travel retailer and lead a key category within the business 

• Lead category strategies and pricing and promotional plans 

• Lead and influence key supplier relationships and negotiations 

About WHSmith Australia 

WHSmith is an iconic British retailer with proud Australian operations, at the heart of travel, offering books, news, and essentials, designed for life on the move. Our diverse retail brands include WHSmith Retail, InMotion, Kids Stop and The Book Cellar, each dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences. 

Our stores are located in some of Australia’s busiest and most exciting airports, providing a dynamic and fast paced work environment that is perfect for driven individuals who thrive on a challenge and are ready to grow their Buying career in a truly unique retail setting. When you join WHSmith, you will have the chance to be part of an outstanding work environment at a purpose and values-driven company that invests in its people through ongoing training and development. 

Our Buying team are based in our WHSmith Australia Support Office in Woolloomooloo (10-minute walk from Town Hall station).  

How You’ll Make An Impact

As a Buyer at WHSmith Australia, you will be responsible for ranging, buying, and managing product categories, ensuring our offering is innovative, customer led, and commercially successful.  This is an exciting role which will give you the autonomy to come up with and implement category strategies.

Your responsibilities will include:  

• Developing and maintaining supplier relationships to maximise WHSmith’s ability to purchase the right products, at the right price, at the right time.
• Growing and developing new areas of business identified as strategic growth opportunities.  

• Identifying market trends by researching product history, supplier information, current trends, and competitor activity. 

• Analysing historical statistical data by reviewing sales, profit, stock-turn, markdowns, by colour, subclass, and supplier performance. 

• Conducting regular financial analysis of sales, margins, stock levels and markdowns and revaluating the merchandise plan accordingly. 

• Identifying opportunities to grow rebates across the category.  

• Maintaining collaborative relationships with our retail stores through regular visits. 

What You’ll Need To Succeed

The successful candidate will have a passion for buying and will be committed to helping our business grow and succeed.  

The following qualities are also essential:  

• Proven experience as a Buyer or Category Manager within general merchandise, impulse or food categories.

• Exceptional negotiation skills. 

• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and market information. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain supplier relationships.  

• A results driven mindset with a focus on meeting targets. 

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 

• Customer focus.  

What’s In It For You?

• Competitive salary and annual bonus. 

• Enjoy a paid day off to celebrate your birthday! 

• Access to 24/7 wellbeing support through our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 

• Finish at 4pm on Fridays. 

• Hybrid working arrangement.  

• Access to online learning and development resources.  

• Generous employee discounts across a range of our products and with our retail partners. 

• Inclusive and accessible workplace with access to wellbeing room. 

• Free barista style coffee available in our renovated Support Office.  

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

WHSmith is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment. We recognise the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do, and we actively promote a culture of belonging through our policies, procedures, and working practices. If you have any support requirements, please let us know at the time of your application so we can assist you appropriately during the recruitment process. 

If you’re ready to kickstart a rewarding career with WHSmith, we'd love to hear from you. APPLY NOW! 

* Please note, all applicants will be notified once your application is reviewed.