We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Buyer to join our team at the QD Group, a family-owned business with 52 stores, including 18 Cherry Lanes, 31 QD Stores, and Lathams of Potter Heigham. The role is based at our Norwich office. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to manage and shape the plant category offering, ensuring we remain competitive in the value market.
As Plant Buyer, you will play a pivotal role in driving the growth of our plant range, working closely with our retail teams, suppliers, and internal departments to deliver an exceptional product offering. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the plant category, from strategic planning and product selection to supplier negotiations and ensuring our plant offer aligns with customer preferences and market trends.
We also grow over 1.5 million plants across our own growing nurseries. A successful candidate would have the exciting opportunity to shape how and what we grow across those nurseries and be responsible for maximising sales opportunities across all our retail brands.
Key Responsibilities: • Take full ownership of the plant and home-grown category, with accountability for sales, margins, and profitability in this fast-paced market.
• Develop and execute category strategies to meet business targets, translating market insights into actionable plans.
• Cultivate strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders to ensure seamless product delivery and performance.
• Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities.
• Use data and insights to drive decisions on product selection, pricing, and positioning.
• Lead the implementation of the product strategy, ensuring it aligns with customer needs and business goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal product availability, quality, and stock management.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements related to the importation and sale of plants.
Ideal Candidate: • Proven experience as a retail or wholesale buyer, ideally within a fast-moving, multi-site retail environment.
• Strong background in plant category buying, with a keen understanding of product wastage and inventory management.
• Strong Background in general horticulture, including the growing and maintenance of a wide range of plant species
• In-depth knowledge of plant import legislation and industry regulations.
• Exceptional commercial acumen, with the ability to analyse data and make informed decisions.
• Proactive, reliable, and highly organised, with a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrable success in supplier negotiation and contract management (both UK and international).
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A true team player with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and join a well-established, family-run business, we'd love to hear from you!
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