Retail Planner Buyer

About the Role:

Are you passionate about retail and sustainability? Aurora Expeditions is seeking a talented Retail Buyer/Planner to join our team and oversee the product selection, inventory management, and logistics for our onboard ship shops. Reporting to the Global Head of Product, this role is key to delivering a retail experience that aligns with Aurora’s brand values, enhances the passenger journey, and caters to the unique needs of adventurers exploring remote destinations.

As the Retail Buyer/Planner, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of Aurora Expeditions’ onboard retail operations. You will focus on sourcing high-quality, sustainable, and destination-inspired merchandise, optimising sales performance, and ensuring efficient stock management. This is your chance to combine creativity, strategy, and a commitment to sustainability while delivering an exceptional retail experience for our passengers.

This permanent part-time role (three days per week) collaborates closely with our onboard ship team to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of our onboard shops.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage seasonal sales and inventory budgets and completing performance analysis to refine purchasing strategies and maximise profitability.
• Manage inventory planning and OTB, optimising stock levels and ensuring accurate forecasting.
• Manage procurement by building and maintaining strategic brand partnerships aligned with Aurora’s sustainability values, negotiating pricing and contracts to deliver quality and value. This includes selection buying from third party brands, product development for Aurora branded merchandise and sourcing new suppliers when necessary to develop the right ranges for our passengers and voyages.
• A strong focus on sustainability will drive your approach, sourcing ethically inspired products and ensuring compliance with environmental and social responsibility standards.
• Create a meaningful in-store experience for passengers, through product assortment and working with the on-board retail team to deliver effective visual merchandising and product knowledge.
• You’ll ensure seamless retail processes including training ship shop managers to deliver exceptional customer service, creating product guides and coordinating stock takes. Through detailed performance analysis and reporting, you’ll gather feedback and implement improvements
• Manage the logistics of delivering stock to our ships in full and on time. You will be across shipping schedules, working with freight forwarders and managing timelines.
• You’ll also oversee the design, selection and delivery of passenger gifts.
• This role is integral to creating an outstanding retail experience that reflects Aurora’s commitment to quality, adventure, and sustainability.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

• 5+years experience in retail buying and/or planning.
• Strong negotiation and budgeting skills.
• Proficiency in inventory planning and control.
• Understanding of shipping logistics.
• A passion for sustainability and ethical sourcing.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Flexibility to manage global supplier relationships, which may include occasional out-of-hours calls.

Why Join Us?

At Aurora, we pride ourselves on delivering extraordinary experiences for our passengers while maintaining a deep commitment to sustainability and adventure. This role offers the opportunity to leave your mark on a growing company with values that align with making a positive impact. Be part of a B Corp certified company, committed to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.