I am a creative thinking, highly motivated, confident and driven individual with over 10 years experience within blue chip retailers. This had afforded me the skill of identifying and exploring new and existing business opportunities and setting and delivering my strategy accordingly. In addition to this I am adept at forging collaborative working partnerships with key stakeholders both within the wider business and my supply base. All of which resulting in a well rounded, organised and pragmatic individual whom can easily flourish in a variety of roles.

Hardware Buyer - Safety and Security (Building) @ Key Responsibilities Include: - The ownership and management of various Safety and Security categories including: Mechanical Security, Padlocks, Outdoor Ironmongery, First Aid, Independent Living, Child Safety and Rope and Chain in conjunction with the merchandiser. - Working with suppliers and the merchandiser to plan (and negotiate associated support) for the annual trading plan. Day to Day Duties Include: - Attending European and International trade shows to explore new innovations and supply base opportunities. - Attending European and International sourcing trips and factory audits to work closely with new and existing suppliers. - The creation of new product and promotional briefs for supply base. - The management of the category cost base from supplier cost negotiations to CAPEX etc. - VBA and rebate negotiations. - Conducting regular competitor reviews to understand our positioning and opportunities within the market. - Working with key areas of business to deliver step change through the range review process including store operations, marketing, visual merchandising etc. From October 2012 to Present (3 years 1 month) SouthamptonBuyer (Building) @ Key Responsibilities Included: - The ownership and management of Heating, Cooling and ladders categories. - Supporting the buyer in management of the fires category. - Working with suppliers to plan (and negotiate associated support) for the annual promotional plan. Day to Day Duties Included: - Attending European and International sourcing trips and factory audits to work closely with new and existing suppliers. - Creating new product and promotional briefs for supply base. - The management of the category cost base from supplier cost negotiations to CAPEX etc. - VBA and rebate negotiations. - Conducting regular competitor reviews to understand our positioning and opportunities within the market. - Working with key areas of business to deliver step change through the range review process including store operations, marketing, visual merchandising etc. From April 2010 to October 2012 (2 years 7 months) Southampton, United KingdomBuyer (Big Ticket) @ Key Responsibilities Included: - The ownership and management of the showers, shower enclosures and shower screens categories. - Working with suppliers and the merchandiser to plan (and negotiate associated support) for the annual trading plan to. - Oversaw two direct reports and management of their progression plans Day to Day Duties included: - Attending European and International trade shows to explore new innovations and supply base opportunities. - Attending European and International sourcing trips and factory audits to work closely with new and existing suppliers. - The creation of new product and promotional briefs for supply base. - The management of the category cost base from supplier cost negotiations to CAPEX etc. - VBA and rebate negotiations. - Conducting regular competitor reviews to understand our positioning and opportunities within the market. - Working with key areas of business to deliver step change through the range review process including store operations, marketing, visual merchandising etc. - The creation and management of the annual sales budget. - Setting the vision and negotiating supplier funding for annual brochure update. From February 2009 to April 2010 (1 year 3 months) Milton Keynes, United KingdomBuyer (Home) @ Key Responsibilities Included: - The ownership and management of the storage, shelving and home office categories. - Working with suppliers and the merchandiser to plan (and negotiate associated support) for the annual trading plan. - Oversaw two direct reports and management of their progression plans. Day to Day Duties included: - Attending European and International trade shows to explore new innovations and supply base opputunities. - Attending European and International sourcing trips and factory audits to work closely with new and existing suppliers. - Creating new product and promtional briefs for supply base. - The management of the category cost base from supplier cost negotiations to CAPEX etc. - VBA and rebate negotiations. - Conducting regular competitor reviews to understand our positioning and opportunities within the market. - Working with key areas of business to deliver step change through the range review process including store operations, marketing, visual merchandising etc. - The creation and management of the annual sales budget. From October 2008 to February 2009 (5 months) Milton Keynes, United KingdomAssistant Buyer (Home) @ Key Responsibilities Included: - The ownership and management of the blinds, curtain poles and curtain track categories. - Working with suppliers to plan (and negotiate associated support) for the annual trading plan. - Oversaw one direct report and management of their progression plan. Day to Day Duties included: - Attending European trade shows to explore new innovations and supply base opportunities. - The management of the category cost base from supplier cost negotiations to CAPEX etc. - VBA and rebate negotiations. - Conducting regular competitor reviews to understand our positioning and opportunities within the market. - Working with key areas of business to deliver step change through the range review process including store operations, marketing, visual merchandising etc. - Set the vision and negotiated supplier funding for bi annual big book update. - Scoped and implemented super range concept trialed in 22 stores June 08 with successful elements rolled out to additional stores in Jan 09. From October 2006 to September 2008 (2 years) Milton Keynes, United KingdomBuying Assistant (Decorative) @ Key Responsibilities Included: - The ownership and management of tile transfers category. - Supporting the buyer in management of tiling and tiling accessories category. Day to Day Duties included: - Planning and managing promotional cycle in conjunction with senior buyer. - Briefing and signing off promotional flyers and POS. - Briefing and signing off annual brochure, including photography requirements. From June 2005 to September 2006 (1 year 4 months) Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

BA, Culture and Politics @ University of Roehampton From 2002 to 2005 Hayley Straker is skilled in: Competitive Analysis, Retail Buying, Global Sourcing, Range Development, Supplier Negotiation, Supply Management, Profit, Group Buying, Strategic Sourcing, Trend Analysis, Forecasting, Retail, Multi-channel Retail, Assortment, Management, Merchandising, Negotiation, Sales, Stock Management, Store Management, Inventory Management, Visual Merchandising, New Business Development