Retail Buyer

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Retail setting – where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Role

The Retail Buyer will manage and develop Chester Zoo’s retail buying and merchandising operation and support the implementation of product strategy and development as directed by the Retail Product Manager. This includes meeting profit targets, ensuring stock availability meets demand, and ensuring the retail experience at the Zoo adds value to our guest’s day.

You will:

Be responsible for sourcing suitable retailing lines that fall into the Zoos buying strategy, for both on site and online sales
Oversee and make recommendations for the effective visual merchandising of all shop retail lines, working closely with the front of house team so they deliver effective and commercially driven merchandising
Ensure that purchasing and stock holding levels reflect seasonal demands and trading patterns, be able to act quickly to unexpected trading and availability issues so we always have stock available for our guests
Make recommendations to the Retail Product Manager for new lines and ranges, diversification and projects for the department and then act on implementing these
Support the Retail Product Manager with the implementation of product strategy and to take responsibility of writing and implementing standard operating procedures and product policy to ensure all operational standards surrounding retail product are met
Assist the Retail General Manager and Retail Product Manager with sales forecasting and taking the lead with sales analysis to ensure the right stock package is available for our guests
Effectively work with our product systems, EPOS systems and online shop to ensure their functionality is maximised and that our stock holding and accounting is accurate.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development.

The Package

Permanent contract
Salary of £34,458.07 per annum (pro-rata) based on 40 hours per week worked Monday to Friday
33 days annual leave per year (pro-rata)
Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Employer contributory pension scheme

Our Requirements

Experience of retail buying at Manager or Assistant Manager level which includes work done within the visitor attraction or cultural sector.
Merchandising experience and an understanding of merchandising systems that support both front of house and back of house teams.
Experience of product development and working with brands.
Experience of buying in a broad range of categories
Experience of sourcing and purchasing retail stock within strong ethical and sustainable guidelines
Experience of stock and trend analysis
Administrative capabilities appropriate for the role– specifically purchasing, POS systems programming, stock replenishment, invoice generating, and template creation specific to revenue generation
Excellent communication skills and a desire to learn and develop
Experience of leading a team and people management

More About Us

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.