Retail Buyer - Temporary (up to 9 months)

About us

Our purpose is simple, to save lives at sea. Since 1824, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. Our vision is to save every one.

To help us raise vital income, we’re looking for a Retail Buyer to lead on product sourcing and supply chain development for RNLI retail in Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with solid buying experience and local knowledge to establish the end-end processes to deliver commercially viable ranges that support our mission.

As the charity enters its third century of lifesaving, this is an exciting time to join a passionate team of retail professionals, who are dedicated to delivering an engaging retail experience for RNLI customers and supporters.

About the role

This role supports our buying and merchandising team with the development of local and regionally sourced products to meet the needs of RNLI customers and supporters in Ireland.

This role is pivotal to building effective supplier relationships to establish a new sourcing model within Ireland and delivery of a practical, long-term solution for supply of products to RNLI shops and branches.

Experience of managing multiple suppliers, working across categories to select off-the-shelf ranges, alongside developing own brand products and packaging is a must. Current working practice of product safety and compliance standards, alongside shipping restrictions and movement of goods, would be an advantage.

About you

We would love to receive applications from candidates with the following experience:

• Buying and product development experience in key product categories at Buyer level
• Experience of developing own brand ranges including interpretation of design and market trends
• Understanding of relevant production processes
• Broad experience and full understanding of sales and profit targets, managing ranges to achieve such targets, and interpreting results
• Strong commercial awareness
• Highly motivated and commercially driven
• Enjoys the challenge of developing product ranges that engage customers and supporters to shop with RNLI

Some of the benefits

• Flexible working (hybrid/remote)
• 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Outstanding pension scheme (contributions of up to 16% of basic salary)
• Life assurance
• Health and dental cash plan

If you would like to be part of a retail team where 100% of profit helps save lives at sea, this could be the role for you. Please apply via the button shown.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.