Assistant Buyer - Home, Plush & Toys
Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are…
When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
Our studios are considered one of the foremost motion picture and television production and post-production facilities in the world. They inform, engage, and transport audiences to new worlds. The key to that lies with our Studio Operations group, which includes areas like soundstage/backlot set rentals, events, design, culinary, construction, landscaping and much more. Whether it’s hosting an unforgettable studio tour, creating an optimal workspace, or equipping talent to tell the best stories, these teams lay the foundation for the memorable experiences we provide.
Your New Role…
As a key member of the Buying team within our Worldwide Tours & Retail business, you will support the Junior Buyer in developing and selecting products that deliver against sales, margin, and customer expectations. Working across our Home, Plush and Toys categories, you will help shape a range of products including home accessories, collectibles, plush products and toys that bring the Wizarding World to life for fans around the globe.
Partnering closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will contribute to the development of innovative, customer-focused product ranges, managing products through the critical path from concept to launch while ensuring timelines, quality standards and commercial objectives are met.
This role offers broad exposure across product development, sourcing, trading and cross-functional collaboration within a globally recognised brand, with the opportunity to influence product ranges that create memorable experiences for fans of all ages.
Your Role Accountabilities…
Support the Junior Buyer to develop a customer-focused, commercial and innovative product assortment across the Home, Plush and Toys categories that delivers category KPIs.
Review weekly sales and prepare for trade meetings. Execute trade actions to minimise any threats and proactively maximise opportunities.
Build strong working relationships with suppliers, contributing to cost price negotiation and product approvals where necessary.
Manage the critical path for product development, proactively highlighting any risks.
Manage the in-house consumer products approval system Starlabs.
Prepare regular comp shop reports by market to develop insight into customer needs, markets trends and competitor activity, providing visibility of licensed opportunities in market.
Manage and develop your Buyers Admin Assistant - managing their workload and development.
Partner with key stakeholders across Merchandising, Design, Ecommerce, Retail, Marketing and Consumer Products globally.
Qualifications & Experience…
Experience in a buying head office role, either as an Assistant Buyer or with extensive experience as a Buyers Assistant.
Experience buying or developing products within Home, Toys, Plush, Gifts, Collectibles or related lifestyle categories.
Understanding of key product development considerations for Home, Plush and Toy ranges, including materials, product safety, quality standards and customer appeal.
Experience working with suppliers to develop exclusive products, manage sampling and achieve target cost prices.
Strong awareness of consumer trends, competitor activity and licensed product markets, with the ability to identify commercial opportunities.
In-depth knowledge of the Harry Potter franchise with an understanding of brand DNA and customer expectations.
Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Dynamics or similar buying systems is a plus.
Strong analytical skills with attention to detail, commercial awareness and confident product judgement.
Working pattern:
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), working Monday to Friday. Flexibility is required to meet the evolving needs of the business.
Onsite Working - This role is advertised as Onsite, meaning all working hours and days (regardless of shift pattern) will be carried out at the place of work. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement, where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.How We Get Things Done…
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.