Assistant Buying Manager

Woodie's is the market-leading DIY, Home& Garden retailer in Ireland with 35 stores nationwide and an online presence. We are proud to be listed as one of the Top 75 Best Workplaces in Europe by Great Places to Work and an official Best Workplace for Women for the past three years! We are also recognised by the Irish Centre for Diversity & Inclusion as an accredited Investor in Diversity

We are currently recruiting for a n Assistant Category Manager to join our Commercial Team.

The ideal candidates will possess:

*       Good numerical and analytical skills capable of monitoring market changes, competitor prices and products, and past sales patterns to forecast demand.

*       Well organized with good planning skills to ensure delivery of necessary activities to achieve Category performance.

*       Strong attention to detail to ensure line level accuracy.

Main role responsibilities include:

*       Contribute to the delivery of the Department performance to achieve annual budget by providing analytical, management and administrative support to the Category Manager.

*       Work with the Category Manager in developing category plans and strategies to improve product sales and meet budgeted sales and margin targets.

*       Completing category range reviews to ensure that the product offering is constantly updated and that we are offering our customers the opportunity to buy the latest designs.

*       Identifying, forecasting and taking advantage of market trends and opportunities.

*       Attending trade fairs to source new product / suppliers whilst monitoring future trends and innovation.

*       Meeting suppliers to review performance of current ranges and to review new product suggestions.

*       Managing end of line ranges and aged stock through the business.

*       Reviewing quotations solicited or otherwise to ensure that our cost pricing remains competitive.

*       Analysing category sales and margins versus budget and proactively addressing areas that are falling below expectations.

*       Working closely with our Marketing Department on promotions to include checking press adverts, leaflet drops and collating product information and images.

*       Attending scoping meetings fully prepared with product suggestions, quantities, margins and projected sales figures for the duration of the promotion.

*       Ensuring that we receive cost discounts for promotional activity and that all suppliers provide us with discounts for the duration of the Christmas / January Sale.

*       Undertake ad–hoc projects as required by the Category Manager.

*       Respond to store feedback via the intranet and calls as appropriate.

*       Work closely with the Team Merchandiser as well as across the broader business, the role requires a team player with strong relationship building skills, interacting with Marketing, Retail Operations, store colleagues and Suppliers.

Our benefits include

• Colleague Discount
• Company Pension
• Healthcare
• Wellness Initiatives
• Flexi-Wage - hoose your own pay cycle!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Woodie's! We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.