Buyer - Art, Craft & Hobby Department

• Iconic Australian owned and operated retail business
• You must have at least 3 years’ proven experience as a Buyer
• Hybrid role in a vibrant team culture offering profit share, discounts & more!

Spotlight Retail Group (SRG) is part of Spotlight Group Holdings, Australia's largest privately-owned and operated family business. Alongside iconic market leaders like Anaconda, Mountain Designs, and Harris Scarfe , we are acknowledged leaders in the Australian retail space. Our mission is to inspire creativity. We are looking for an experienced and innovative

Retail Buyer to join our dynamic Art, Craft & Hobby Department and help us continue to lead the market.

Why Join Us?

At Spotlight, We Value Creativity, Collaboration, And Continuous Improvement. We Offer a Supportive And Inclusive Environment Where Everyone Can Thrive, Along With

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Great perks: Excellent team/employee discounts, gym membership discounts, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Work flexibility to support your lifestyle.
• Direct exposure to key senior stakeholders and clear career progression opportunities.
• A fantastic, centrally located office close to the South Melbourne Market.

The Role

As the Buyer for Craft, you will own the end-to-end buying function for multiple Craft categories. This role is ideal for a commercially minded buyer who thrives on managing complex categories and collaborating with international suppliers to deliver innovation, exclusivity, and commercial growth. You will build strong global brand partnerships, curate compelling ranges, and deliver outcomes aligned with customer demand and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Financials: Develop and execute category strategies aligned to customer trends, innovation pipelines, and margin targets. Manage sales, profit, stock turn, markdowns, lifecycle planning, and overall profitability targets (sales growth and gross margin).
• Global Supplier & Brand Management: Build, maintain, and grow strong relationships with global craft brands and suppliers. Lead commercial negotiations including cost prices, terms, exclusivity, marketing support, and business planning.
• Product Development & Sourcing: Sourcing and developing compelling ranges reflecting customer needs, trends, and emerging technology. Identify opportunities for exclusive products, bundles, and supplier-led differentiation. Collaborate with suppliers on product development, launches, and innovation roadmaps.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Marketing and VM teams for impactful in-store execution and product launches. Work closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Digital, and Operations to support omnichannel growth and online assortment. Manage inventory and stock flow with the planning team.
• Compliance & Leadership: Ensure all purchased goods comply with relevant legislation, legal requirements, and company standards. Actively coach and develop a Buying Assistant.

Success Profile & Requirements

To thrive in this role, you will bring a data-driven approach, strong attention to detail, and a knack for making prompt, clear decisions utilizing financial data and numerical analysis.

Our Ideal Candidate Has

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience as a Category Manager or Buyer, ideally in technical, electronics, or craft-related categories. An interest or background in craft is a plus.
• Education: A degree in merchandise buying or business is highly regarded.
• Capabilities: Proven ability to negotiate and manage global supplier relationships, manage complex ranges, and work productively under pressure in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, excellent communication skills to influence across teams, and strong organization skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

How To Apply

If you are a proactive, detail-oriented professional with a genuine passion for products, we want to hear from you.

Apply now to join the Spotlight team!