Retail Buyer

West Ham United, a club with a rich legacy since 1895, is driven by a fan-first ethos and a focus on innovation. With a strong sense of history, we continue to evolve, and our home at the London Stadium—one of the largest venues in the UK—provides an exciting experience for fans, offering the most affordable tickets for London-based Premier League clubs, reinforcing our commitment to Affordable Family Football.

Our Women's team, which became professional in 2018, continues to make strides in the Women's Super League (WSL), with a memorable run to the FA Cup final. Our Chadwell Heath Academy, which opened in 2019, continues to develop top talent, including First Team players Declan Rice and Ben Johnson, shaping the future of West Ham.

In 2023, we were awarded the Premier League's Advanced level of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Standard, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and we are proud holders of the Disability Confident Leader Status.

With a dedicated team of 300 core staff and 500 Foundation and events staff, we aim to create an inclusive, dynamic and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

In the retail space, the West Ham Stadium Store stands as a key touchpoint for our supporters. With an extensive range of merchandise, including exclusive kits, souvenirs, and memorabilia, it offers fans a way to connect with the club beyond matchdays. The buying department works tirelessly to curate an evolving collection, ensuring the latest trends and high-quality products are available to our diverse fanbase. We're constantly updating our offerings to meet fan demand, whether in-store or online.

Job Title: Retail Buyer

Location: West Ham United Football Club, London, UK

Department: Retail

Reports to: Head of Trade

Contract Type: Full-time, hybrid working

Salary: Competitive

Overview:

West Ham United Football Club is looking for an experienced and dynamic Retail Buyer to manage and enhance the club’s merchandise offerings. In this newly developed position, the Buyer will play a crucial role in shaping the product range, ensuring that the club’s product assortment meets the needs of our fans while staying aligned with the West Ham brand. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of sports merchandise, retail trends, and fan culture.

Key Responsibilities:

•Product Sourcing & Development:

o Identify, source, and negotiate with suppliers to develop a compelling and diverse product range that resonates with West Ham supporters.

o Collaborate with the existing kit provider to develop exclusive replica merchandise, ensuring products reflect the club’s identity and values.

o Work closely with the Head of Trade to manage the buying critical path and ensure key planning and sign-off dates are met.

o Manage end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept to launch, ensuring timely delivery and quality standards are met.

•Trend Analysis & Market Research:

o Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitor activity in the football merchandise retail sector.

o Analyse sales data to identify high-performing products, predict demand, and optimise inventory levels.

•Supplier Management & Negotiation:

o Build and maintain strong relationships with both domestic and international suppliers.

o Negotiate cost prices, payment terms, and lead times, ensuring the best possible value and quality for the club.

o Develop a sourcing strategy that strikes the right balance between achieving margin, product choice and geographic flexibility.

o Evaluate supplier performance to ensure adherence to quality and delivery expectations.

•Stock & Inventory Control:

o Work closely with the merchandiser to monitor stock levels to ensure the right products are available in the right quantities.

o Work closely with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure efficient stock flow and minimise overstock or stock-outs.

•Collaboration & Communication:

o Collaborate with the marketing and e-commerce teams to support product launches, promotions, and fan engagement activities.

o Collaborate with the commercial licensing team to develop an exclusive product strategy that drives fan engagement.

o Provide input into promotional strategies to maximise sales during peak periods such as matchdays, club events, and holiday seasons.

•Financial Management & Reporting:

o Work within an agreed retail buying budget, ensuring that all purchasing activities are cost-effective and in line with the club’s financial goals.

o Analyse sales performance and profitability of individual products, presenting reports to senior management on a regular basis

Key Requirements:

•Experience:

o Proven experience in retail buying, preferably within the sports, fashion, or lifestyle sectors.

o Strong track record in developing and delivering successful product ranges in line with brand identity.

o Experience in supplier negotiation and managing open-to-buy budgets.

•Skills & Abilities:

o Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

o Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

o Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and deadlines.

o A keen eye for trends, customer preferences, and product development opportunities.

o Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using retail management or ERP systems.

•Knowledge & Interest:

o An understanding of football culture and the sports retail industry is a preference.

o Knowledge of West Ham United's history, values, and fan base is not essential, but would be an advantage.

Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Pension and life insurance
• Healthcare cash scheme
• Travel season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Priority access to apply for match tickets
• Discounted season tickets
• Staff discounts in the club store, café and our official partners products and services
• Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
• Family friendly leave policies
• Company Social events

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination-free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

Everyone, including third parties who work with the Club or the West Ham Foundation, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. It is non-negotiable to remain vigilant, promptly report any concerns as outlined in our safeguarding policies and guidelines, and take decisive action to prevent harm, abuse, and neglect. Each person must actively contribute to creating a safe environment for everyone.