Senior Buyer

Company Description

UOE is a fast-growing, award-winning, independent retailer offering stationery, gifting, printing and Post Office services across London and the Home Counties. We’ve just scaled to over 42 stores and 200 employees; rolling out our new retail format under the stamp brand. We know that great retail can only be delivered by brilliant people who care. We’re on a mission to prove that high street retail still matters and we’re backing that with bold growth, serious investment, and an entrepreneurial team who are in it to win it. If you’re ready to lead from the front, drive results, and help shape our product offering for the 9 million customers we’ll serve in 2026, this is the role you’ve been looking for.

Role Description

Reporting to the Head of Buying, the Senior Buyer plays a key role in delivering a commercially strong, well balanced and customer focused product range. This role is central to maximising sales and profits, delivering a curated assortment of products that reflects the new STAMP brand, whilst meeting the needs of our growing customer base. You will work closely with the merchandising and inventory team to plan and build the ranges, leading through strategic planning which is benchmarked against the market. Your remit will be to reinvent the product offer to blend daily essentials with fun lifestyle and creative products, becoming a vibrant and modern retailer at the heart of the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop product strategy for key areas of range responsibility, identifying emerging product and lifestyle trends, managing product lifecycles and sourcing new and distinctive brands
• Work with the merchandising team to create a balanced and innovative product range, maximising the overall financial performance of product categories - making season trading and volume decisions whilst driving margin opportunities
• Proactively make trading recommendations to Head of Buying to maximise opportunities for the business
• Benchmark competition to ensure best in class product and price
• Strategically manage the supply base, leveraging our growing scale with key suppliers to negotiate the best prices and commercial terms
• Work collaboratively with Retail & Marketing team to deliver strong campaigns, ensuring the plans are commercial, innovative and creative
• Establish clear range planning principles and processes, in line with industry best practice
• Building strong relationship with suppliers and Brands
• Own the product critical path, ensuring we hit key deadlines and launch on time
• Drive strategy on ESG, ensuring this is embedded within the product development and sourcing strategy
• Lead, coach and motivate the wider Buying team
• Deputise for the Head of Buying when required

What We're Looking For

• Proven 5 Years+ Experience in Buying within an established multiple retailer
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic buying practices, including range planning, pricing architecture and critical path management
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to thrive in a fast paced, collaborative environment
• Driving change through industry best practice and operational efficiency
• A real passion for products: experience in a variety of category areas including relevant experience across Home, Stationery or Gifting
• Strong supplier relationships and confidence to influence
• Proven commercial acumen and a keen negotiator
• Strong analytical skills, balanced with an intuitive approach to product decision making
• Strong Communication and Presentation Skills

Why Join UOE

• Competitive salary bracket of £60,000-£70,000pa
• Real career growth opportunities as we scale as a business
• Friendly and approachable team
• Challenging work and autonomy in your role

Our Culture

At UOE, our culture is shaped by three core values:

Expert & Trusted– We know our stuff and do what we say we’ll do.

Hub of the Community – We’re here for our customers and each other.

Surprisingly Fun! – We take our work seriously, but not ourselves.

We’re committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace, where people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities feel respected, valued, and able to thrive. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, just let us know- we’re here to help