Zara Simmonds
London,United Kingdom
Summary
Commercially focused Buyer with a strong record of delivering profitable ranges and managing end-to-end product lifecycles across multiple categories. Skilled in range planning, strategy planning, supplier negotiation and analysing sales performance data to drive strategic decisions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
National Account Manager
BRG (Breville Group)
London
2025.02 - Current
- Strengthening business relationships by effectively managing multiple national retail accounts driving sales performance.
- Analysing sell-in and sell-out data to track market trends, identifying opportunities, and supporting with decision making.
- Collaborating cross-functionally with trade marketing, planning marketing spend with retailers to maximise product visibility through activation campaigns.
- Monitoring retailers stock levels and forecast demand, ensuring product availability while minimising excess stock.
- Presenting insights and performance reports to senior stakeholders, influencing strategic business decisions.
- Conducting comprehensive market analysis to identify new sales opportunities and areas for growth.
Buyer - Health and Beauty
Currys
London, United Kingdom
2022.06 - 2025.01
- Led the total buying strategy for the Health and Beauty category, including an 8-week project sprint to gather insights, define key initiatives, and drive execution.
- Exceeded on margin requirements by supplier negotiation on cost pricing, sales out allowances and contract terms agreements, which led to improved profitability year on year for the category.
- Built strategic partnerships with suppliers, positioning Currys as a key destination for Health and Beauty through joint business plans and quarterly business reviews.
- Developed and expanded the product range, onboarded new suppliers through complex contract negotiations, which resulted in increased sales, brand awareness, and category creditability.
- Analysed sales daily across key metrics (sales, margin and stock) and took proactive actions to ensure sales forecasts were met.
- Managed and mentored the Assistant Buyer, implementing structured training programs and a PDP, significantly improving performance.
- Influenced internal stakeholders and decision-makers to drive category success, resulting in wider store presence year on year.
Assistant Buyer
Currys
London, United Kingdom
2022.02 - 2022.05
- Supported the Senior Buyer for the Built-In and Integrated range within the Major Domestic Appliances category in Currys.
Assistant Buyer
Currys
London, United Kingdom
2020.09 - 2021.11
- Provided support to the Senior Buyer within the Refrigeration category.
- Managed independently the Heating and Cooling category.
Junior Buyer
The Wedding Shop
London, United Kingdom
2019.07 - 2020.08
- Promoted within the company across the 4 years, leading to a Junior Buyer position managing 130 suppliers within three categories (Kitchen, Homeware & Furniture) reported directly to the Group Buying Director.
Purchasing Manager
The Wedding Shop
London
2017.07 - 2019.06
Purchasing Assistant
The Wedding Shop
London
2016.08 - 2017.06
Education
BA Hons - Textile and Retail Management
Birmingham City University
Birmingham 2011.09 - 2014.06
Timeline
National Account Manager
BRG (Breville Group)
2025.02 - Current
Buyer - Health and Beauty
Currys
2022.06 - 2025.01
Assistant Buyer
Currys
2022.02 - 2022.05
Assistant Buyer
Currys
2020.09 - 2021.11
Junior Buyer
The Wedding Shop
2019.07 - 2020.08
Purchasing Manager
The Wedding Shop
2017.07 - 2019.06
Purchasing Assistant
The Wedding Shop
2016.08 - 2017.06
BA Hons - Textile and Retail Management
Birmingham City University
2011.09 - 2014.06