Buying Manager - Sports, Leisure and Outdoors

Buying Manager - Sports, Leisure and Outdoors

Since 1982, The Warehouse has been part of the moments that shape Kiwi lives. From first school supplies and birthday celebrations to weekend adventures, backyard projects, family camping trips and the latest gadgets for everyday life, generations of New Zealanders have grown up with our brand. That connection sits at the heart of This Is Warehouse Country, celebrating the place The Warehouse holds in communities across Aotearoa while signalling our ambition for the future.

We're in transformation mode and as we invest in the future of our Merchandise function, we're creating exciting opportunities for those who want to play a part in shaping what comes next.

We’re looking for a Buying Manager to lead the categories that help New Zealanders play, explore and bring adventure to their every day, and there’s never been a better time to join!

As Buying Manager - Sports, Leisure and Outdoors, you'll lead a portfolio spanning categories that inspire fun, enable adventure, support everyday projects and connect customers with the products they love and bring that excitement, wonder and outdoor adventure to their everyday.

Reporting to the division’s General Manager Buying, you'll set strategic category direction, articulate vision and lead a passionate team of product experts / Buyers (circa 7 direct reports), driving the commercial decisions that deliver growth, customer value and long-term business success as a team.

You'll:

• Develop and execute portfolio and category strategies aligned to customer, brand and business objectives.
• Lead financial performance across sales, margin, markdown and profitability targets.
• Identify growth opportunities, emerging trends and competitive advantages that keep us ahead of the market.
• Build and manage strategic supplier partnerships that deliver innovation, value and commercial outcomes.
• Partner closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, Stores and Finance to deliver end-to-end commercial and project success.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Buyers, creating a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Drive commercial governance, trading rhythms and performance reviews to ensure strong execution across the division.

Qualifications

You'll be a seasoned merchandise / category leader who combines commercial rigour with customer obsession. Bringing with you commercial credibility to influence at a senior level and the strategic mindset to lead a complex, multi-category portfolio,

You'll likely bring:

• Significant experience in a Senior/Lead Buyer, Buying Manager or similar commercial leadership role.
• Category expertise in Sporting, Fitness, the Outdoors, and Gardening is highly desirable
• Demonstrated success managing portfolio-level sales, margin and profit performance.
• Expertise in category strategy, commercial performance, supplier negotiations and internal investment committees.
• Experience leading high-performing buying teams and developing future talent.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functionally, and vertically across multiple functions.
• Deep commercial acumen and a customer-first approach to decision making.
• A passion for retail, market trends and creating compelling customer propositions.

Additional Information

Come work with us! 

When you join us, we offer a range of benefits that work for you, your lifestyle, and your career, which include: 

• Discounts across our brands 
• Birthday leave and charity day off 
• 26 weeks paid parental leave 
• Free parking, EV charging at our North Shore support office 
• We value collaboration, connection & flexibility – with 1 day (Friday) WFH 
• Onsite gym and café at our Northcote support office (great views of the Waitemata and a decent lunch menu!) 
• A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities

We are stepping into a new era that will be defined by momentum and ambition, and a focused drive to deliver for our customers. Ready to own the strategy, lead the team and drive the next phase of growth? We'd love to hear from you.