AO
Category Buyer- 12 month FTC
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Job Overview
About The Role
As a Category Buyer at AO, you'll be right at the heart of keeping our product ranges competitive, exciting and packed with value for our customers. You'll own your category from end to end, working with some of the biggest brands in the industry to make sure we've got the right products, at the right price, exactly when our customers need them.
This isn't just about buying products. It's about spotting opportunities before anyone else, building strong supplier partnerships, negotiating brilliant deals and using data to make smart commercial decisions that drive sales and profit.
If you love turning insights into action, thrive on building relationships, and get a buzz from seeing your decisions make a real impact, you'll fit right in. No two days are the same, and that's exactly how we like it. One day you could be negotiating a new supplier agreement, the next launching an exciting new range or reacting to the latest market trends to keep us one step ahead of the competition.
Our people are our superpower, and we’re unstoppable when we’re together! We want your ideas to flow, and what better way to make that happen than being based onsite in our Bolton office 5 days a week, where our culture fuels creativity, collaboration and growth. If a £1 bet in the pub between two friends can become the UKs most trusted electrical retailer, imagine what else can be achieved when we’re together.
Here's What You Can Expect To Be Doing
- Owning and developing a defined product category to maximise sales, margin and customer appeal.
- Building strong relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, becoming their go-to contact at AO.
- Negotiating trading agreements, product ranges, promotional activity and commercial terms.
- Securing additional marketing and promotional funding to drive category growth.
- Analysing sales performance, market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities and make informed decisions.
- Managing stock levels to ensure availability while controlling aged stock and maintaining agreed KPIs.
- Working closely with teams across Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial to deliver the best possible customer proposition.
- Launching new products and ranges from key branded suppliers.
- Responding quickly to changes in the market and adapting strategies to stay ahead of competitors.
- Delivering exciting promotional plans that support business objectives and drive customer demand.
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A Few Things About You
- You'll be a commercially driven individual who enjoys balancing relationship-building with data-led decision making.
- Has experience in a Buying role within retail, e-commerce or a similar commercial environment.
- Loves working with numbers and can confidently analyse and interpret data.
- Has strong negotiation skills and a track record of delivering commercial results.
- Can successfully negotiate trading terms, product ranges and incremental marketing support.
- Builds trusted relationships with suppliers, stakeholders and account managers.
- Is highly organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.
- Has excellent communication skills and can influence stakeholders at all levels.
A Bit About Us
We’re big on appliances and electricals, REALLY big. Washing machines, fridge freezers and TVs? They’re our bread and butter. Mobiles, Airwraps and Ring doorbells? Yep, those too. If it plugs in, powers up or makes life easier, AO probably has it.
But we’re more than that… For over 25 years, trust has been at the heart of everything we do, helping us become the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer. Our customers rate us 4.9 on Trustpilot from nearly ONE MILLION reviews and more 5-star ratings than any other UK electrical retailer, because they know they can rely on us and it’s the exact same for our AOers too.
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We truly believe it’s more than just a job, we genuinely care about each other and our impact on making our customers lives easier, by helping them brilliantly. Everyone here knows how their role makes a difference. Our people are our superpower, so, when it comes to finding new AOers, we know it’s about more than just a CV, it’s about what makes you, YOU.
Our Benefits
Our benefits are designed to cover the moments that matter to AOers. From health and wellness to giving back - you’ll be rewarded inside and outside of work.
- Holidays; 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
- Pension; Contribute 5% of your annual salary and we'll do the same, giving you a little extra support for the future.
- Be a VIP at the AO Arena; we have loads of opportunities to win free tickets and pre-sale access!
- Health & wellbeing; discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GP’s, Mental Health support and much more.
- Discounts; exclusive discounts across our product range.
- Family leave; Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
- Making a difference; 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
- On site perks; start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised in house coffee shop!
To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.
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