Job Description

Join Our Team at The Saddle Bank!

We're excited to announce a new opportunity for a Customer service & Product Manager to join our growing team.

About Us

At The Saddle Bank, we do more than sell saddles -- we help riders find the perfect partner for their equestrian journey. Our dedication to quality, customer care, and exceptional service has made us a trusted name for horse lovers across the globe.

About the Role

Product Buying and Procurement

Manage all buying activity for new and used saddles, accessories and related products Quote accurately for second hand stock using brand, condition, demand and margin considerations Source new product lines and build relationships with suppliers and manufacturers Negotiate pricing, terms and lead times to maximise profitability Take advantage of deals, promotions and time sensitive opportunities Place purchase orders and ensure all minimum stock levels are maintained

Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Control

Build and maintain buying budgets across all product categories Forecast stock requirements based on historical data, seasonal trends and sales patterns Monitor product margins and adjust buying strategies where needed Manage spend responsibly to protect cash flow Provide weekly, monthly and quarterly financial updates to the General Manager Track stock values, ageing stock, slow moving lines and opportunities for clearance

Stock Management and Product Accuracy

Ensure all deliveries match purchase orders with correct quantities, sizes and product details Liaise with the warehouse on product quality standards for both new and used items Work closely with the warehouse to ensure accurate booking in and stock placement Conduct regular stock checks and audits Maintain product accuracy across all online listings including measurements, images, pricing and descriptions Ensure warehouse cleanliness, organisation and safe storage of all products Identify missing, damaged or incorrect stock and resolve promptly

Product Portfolio and Commercial Strategy

Maintain a balanced and profitable product range Identify opportunities to expand or refine the product offering Work with marketing to build promotions, seasonal offers and product based campaigns Monitor market trends, competitor pricing and product availability Recommend price adjustments and product positioning strategies Analyse product performance and make data driven decisions

Discontinued and Clearance Management

Plan and manage clearance stock, end of line items and older inventory Recommend clearance strategies to improve cash flow and reduce aged stock Work with marketing to promote clearance events or campaigns

Risk Management

Identify supply chain risks including delays, stock shortages and supplier issues Develop mitigation plans to reduce operational disruption Monitor supplier reliability and performance

Process Improvements

Improve internal workflows between buying, warehouse, customer service and marketing Identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to increase accuracy and efficiency Document improved processes and communicate changes to relevant teams

Customer Support and Sales Enablement

Support the customer service team with product questions, suitability queries and technical information Provide product training to relevant staff where required Assist with customer escalations relating to product queries Support customer service with answering calls, emails and customer enquiries as required Communicate clearly with both warehouse and customer service to maintain smooth operations

Reporting and Insight

Produce reports for the General Manager covering
- stock values
- sales by product category
- margin analysis
- aged stock
- supplier performance
- quotes completed and conversion rates

Identify risks, opportunities and areas for improvement Make clear recommendations on buying strategies and stock planning

What Success Looks Like

Stock levels are accurate, optimised and aligned with demand Margins improve through strong negotiation and smart buying Warehouse is organised, clean and efficient Products are always accurately listed and available for customers Quotes are completed quickly and accurately Deals and opportunities are captured promptly Marketing has timely product information for campaigns Reports to senior management are clear, accurate and commercially useful The business maintains a strong, reliable and profitable product offering

Required Skills and Experience

Essential Skills

Strong commercial awareness and financial understanding Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills Strong analytical ability with confidence in data and forecasting Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy Fast learner with strong product focus Confident using spreadsheets and reporting tools Clear communicator written and verbal Ability to work independently and as part of a team Comfortable making decisions based on data and business needs Organised, proactive and disciplined in planning workload

Personal Qualities

Keen eye for detail and product quality Highly reliable with strong ownership mentality Calm, logical and solutions focused Ethical, honest and professional in all supplier interactions Strong sense of responsibility and commercial thinking Thrives in a fast paced, evolving environment Confident decision maker able to balance risk and reward Strong initiative with the ability to act quickly when opportunities arise Curious and willing to learn about products, suppliers and market trends Excellent prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks at once Positive attitude with the ability to remain steady under pressure Clear communicator who builds strong relationships across the business

Desirable Experience

Buying or procurement experience Stock control or product management background Experience in retail, ecommerce or equestrian industry Saddle or equestrian product knowledge not essential

Role Type

Full time Office based at The Saddle Bank HQ, PE7 Reports to General Manager
This role will remain open until we find the right candidate. We are committed to hiring the best fit and are not working to a deadline.

To apply, please include your CV and a tailored cover letter.

Your cover letter must include

Why you believe you are a strong fit for this senior Buyer and Product Manager position A clear explanation of your relevant experience in buying, procurement, stock management or product oversight One example of a time you managed stock, negotiated with suppliers or made a commercial decision that improved margin, accuracy or efficiency
To confirm you have read this job description in full, please include the word

PRODUCTFIRST

at the very end of your cover letter.

We take accuracy, attention to detail and communication quality seriously. These are essential for success in this role.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to 34,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Employee discount Free parking On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:

Peterborough PE7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

Are you involved in the equestrian industry in a personal or professional capacity- Please provide an outline below
Work Location: In person