National Trust
Buyer
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Summary
We’re looking for an experienced Buyer to join our retail team and look after our property theme ranges.
We’re responsible for planning and delivering the National Trust's product and supplier strategy, managing sales over £30m per year. This is a challenging and exciting role that will prioritise our long-term commercial growth plans and ensuring our offer is competitive and matches current market trends.
This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months.
What it's like to work here
There’s never been a more exciting time to be a part of our multi-site retail business that puts people and places at the heart of its work. We have a clear strategic direction and a huge amount of opportunity and ambition. This crucial and exciting role provides a chance to play a key part in driving profitable, sustainable growth that helps the charity to deliver its core purpose, whilst enhancing our visitor’s experiences at our places.
Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office every Wednesday and Thursday. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.
What you'll be doing
You'll create ranges that link to our cause, engaging both the organisation and our supporters - in turn extending the Trust’s reach and emotional connection to our audiences. Focusing on Theme product you’ll curate ranges that relate to the place they are sold, extending and enriching the visitor experience in the retail environment. You’ll be responsible for managing multiple categories across Theme and Books, requiring strong negotiation, communication and commercial decision-making skills.
In addition, you'll provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Buyers Admin Assistant, managing workload, development and performance to ensure the buying function operates efficiently and effectively.
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You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we're looking for
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale;
- Knowledge of the UK retail market and worldwide supplier base for the relevant product areas
- An understanding of product design, product development and manufacturing processes
- Experience of Property theme range building, product management and understanding of the drivers for customer satisfaction, repeat business, spend, margins and profitability across multiple sites and online
- Knowledge of buying planning systems
- Experience in ensuring policies, frameworks and standards are fully implemented
- Excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to build relationships in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Experience in analysing data to produce insight which drives performance
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
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National Trust place
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA
Documents
Buyer - Grade 5.pdf
Requirements
Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Additional information
- Closing Date: 06 September 2026
- Interview Date: Week commencing 14 September 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
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