Location

🎨 1-2 days in the office per week. 

Why The Works?

🏆 10th Best Big Company to Work For 2024 - 'Best Companies'

We don’t just sell products.
We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

Whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Spark Imagination. Provide the tools of expression.

At The Works, we believe in the power of art. It allows people to express creativity, self-expression, unwind and connect – It’s a gateway to imagination.

As our Buyer for Art, you’ll shape a category that empowers everyone—from beginners to hobbyists to aspiring artists—to express themselves through quality, accessible art materials. From sketchbooks to paints, pencils to canvases, you’ll curate a range that balances value with creative potential.

🎯 Your Mission

• Own the end-to-end buying process for the Art category
• Identify trends in art materials, techniques, and customer preferences
• Lead product development—briefing new ideas and collaborating with creative teams to bring them to life
• Build a compelling range of private label and branded products, from core essentials to seasonal and trend-led lines
• Source exclusive products that offer quality and value for all skill levels
• Negotiate cost prices, trading terms, and promotional support with suppliers
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, and supply chain to ensure smooth delivery and strong in-store/online presence
• Monitor sales performance and adapt the range to meet customer needs
• Manage the critical path—track development timelines and flag risks early
• Use data and customer insight to test, trial, and refine new ideas
• Ensure all products meet quality, safety, and ethical standards
• Maintain trackers and provide actionable insights to drive performance
• Present category plans and product sign-offs to internal stakeholders and leadership
• Coach and support junior team members, sharing your knowledge and passion for product
• Conduct regular store and web reviews to stay close to the customer experience

🧠 What You’ll Bring

• Experience in a buying or product development role—ideally in art supplies, stationery, or general merchandise
• A passion for art and an understanding of materials, techniques, and customer needs
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills
• A proactive, organised, and collaborative approach
• Confidence in managing product development from concept to shelf
• A customer-first mindset and a love for creativity

 Being a great leader 

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you'll create an environment that's more than just co-workers — it's a team.

• Align Goals with Values: Ensure that your team’s goals are clearly connected to the company’s values and purpose. This helps colleagues see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to the overall mission.
• Clear Communication: Ensure that your team understands the goals, expectations, and their roles. Regularly share updates, encourage open dialogue and have regular check-ins.
• Role Model: Lead by example. Demonstrate the behaviours and attitudes you expect from your team, such as punctuality, responsibility, and being a brand ambassador.
• Provide Feedback: Offer constructive feedback regularly. Recognise achievements and address areas for improvement in a supportive and continuous growth manner.
• Empower Your Team: Delegate tasks and trust your team to handle them. This builds confidence and promotes professional growth.
• Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts promptly and fairly. Foster an environment where issues can be discussed openly and resolved amicably.
• Empathy: Understand and consider the feelings and perspectives of your team members. This helps in building strong, supportive relationships

And let's not forget about the most important part… your team's well-being and aspirations. You'll be their biggest supporter, cheering them on. You'll have amazing everyday conversations with your team, discussing everything from their performance to their wildest career aspirations.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 💪 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• 😎 MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• 🚀 Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
• 💃 Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days
• 🎓 Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
• 💸 Wagestream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
• 🏬 Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
• 💛 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
• 🩺 Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
• 🥳 And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading. learning, creativity and play - making lives more fulfilled.

Our Values

We are Crafty | We are Caring | We are Can-do

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!