Landing a Buying Manager position at John Lewis is both a career milestone and a testament to your retail and negotiation expertise. John Lewis & Partners, part of the John Lewis Partnership, is one of the UK’s most beloved retail brands known for quality, innovation, and customer-first values. A Buying Manager plays a critical role in shaping the in-store and online product offerings, ensuring that merchandise aligns with market trends, customer preferences, and profitability goals.
Job Description: The Buying Manager is responsible for selecting, developing, and managing product ranges within a specific department (e.g., homeware, fashion, electronics). They manage supplier relationships, oversee cost negotiations, analyze sales data, and ensure product availability across stores and digital platforms.
Average Salary (2025): The typical salary for a Buying Manager at John Lewis ranges from £50,000 to £70,000 annually, with potential bonuses, staff discounts, and benefits such as pension contributions and flexible working options.
Now let’s dive into the top 20 interview questions and expert sample answers to help you stand out.
1. Why do you want to work for John Lewis as a Buying Manager?
Showcase your passion for the brand and your alignment with its values like integrity, quality, and innovation.
Sample Answer:
I admire John Lewis for its commitment to quality, ethical sourcing, and customer satisfaction. I believe my commercial acumen, trend foresight, and supplier negotiation experience align perfectly with the company’s vision and goals.
2. What experience do you have in buying or category management?
Focus on results, team leadership, and supplier relations.
Sample Answer:
I’ve spent six years managing home and lifestyle product categories at a leading department store, achieving a 20% increase in year-on-year sales through data-led assortment planning and supplier development.
3. How do you decide what products to buy for a season?
Demonstrate knowledge of market research, customer data, and trend forecasting.
Sample Answer:
I combine historic sales data, customer feedback, trend reports, and competitor analysis to create a balanced, forward-thinking assortment strategy that maximizes margin and customer interest.
4. How do you handle supplier negotiations?
Discuss your negotiation style, relationship-building, and cost management.
Sample Answer:
I approach negotiations with a partnership mindset. I aim for win-win outcomes by balancing price competitiveness with product quality and delivery reliability.
5. How do you manage underperforming products?
Explain your problem-solving and data-analysis skills.
Sample Answer:
I quickly analyze sales performance and customer feedback, then explore markdowns, re-merchandising, or bundling options while working with suppliers for returns or discounts.
6. How do you ensure profitability in your buying decisions?
Link commercial awareness with margin management.
Sample Answer:
I analyze cost prices, gross margins, sell-through rates, and markdown projections while ensuring the product has high perceived value to customers.
7. Describe a successful buying decision you’ve made.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Sample Answer:
At my previous role, I introduced a sustainable kitchen range which exceeded forecast by 30% due to trend alignment and strong supplier collaboration.
8. How do you stay updated on consumer trends?
Mention trade shows, social listening, and competitor analysis.
Sample Answer:
I attend relevant trade fairs, subscribe to trend agencies like WGSN, and closely monitor social media and competitor movements.
9. What is your approach to building supplier relationships?
Focus on long-term value.
Sample Answer:
I believe in transparent, consistent communication and collaborative problem-solving to build trust and mutual profitability with suppliers.
10. How do you prioritize between profitability and customer satisfaction?
Balance both aspects in your answer.
Sample Answer:
Profitability and customer satisfaction aren’t mutually exclusive. I select products that delight customers while ensuring they meet margin targets through strategic sourcing and pricing.
11. Describe a time you faced a buying error. How did you handle it?
Show accountability and adaptability.
Sample Answer:
Once I overstocked a product due to overestimated demand. I minimized the impact through early markdowns and targeted promotions, and improved forecast accuracy the following season.
12. How do you collaborate with merchandisers and marketing teams?
Illustrate cross-functional teamwork.
Sample Answer:
I work closely with merchandisers on stock flow and with marketing to align product launches with campaigns, ensuring cohesive brand messaging and sales performance.
13. What systems or tools are you proficient in?
Mention buying platforms, ERP systems, Excel, or analytics tools.
Sample Answer:
I’m proficient in SAP, Oracle Retail, Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables), and Tableau for performance tracking and data visualization.
14. How do you set KPIs for a new category or product line?
Talk about measurable and strategic goals.
Sample Answer:
I set KPIs like sell-through rate, margin, turnover, and customer return rate based on forecast data and benchmark performance.
15. What’s your leadership style when managing a buying team?
Emphasize motivation, mentorship, and clear communication.
Sample Answer:
I lead with clarity, empathy, and strategic focus, encouraging team ownership while supporting their development through coaching and regular feedback.
16. How do you react to sudden supply chain disruptions?
Display calmness and contingency planning.
Sample Answer:
I maintain strong communication with suppliers and logistics, implement alternate sourcing if necessary, and work with the team to adjust forecasts and pricing quickly.
17. What’s your experience with sustainability in buying?
Tie in ethical sourcing and customer demand for responsibility.
Sample Answer:
I’ve worked to source eco-friendly materials and partnered with sustainable suppliers, helping my previous brand achieve a 25% sustainable product mix.
18. How do you measure the success of your buying strategy?
Mention both financial and customer metrics.
Sample Answer:
I evaluate sales growth, margin performance, customer feedback, return rates, and stock turnover to determine effectiveness.
19. How do you balance trend-led versus core lines?
Reflect a commercially savvy approach.
Sample Answer:
I ensure core lines drive consistent sales while allocating budget for trend-led ranges to drive interest, using sales history and trend reports for balance.
20. What are your long-term career goals?
Show ambition aligned with John Lewis’s future.
Sample Answer:
I aim to grow into a senior leadership role where I can contribute to strategy, innovation, and mentorship within the buying function.
Final Interview Coaching and Encouragement Tips
Preparing for a John Lewis Buying Manager interview requires more than just rehearsing answers—you need to connect your experience to their brand values, show commercial awareness, and demonstrate leadership and agility. Be prepared to back up every statement with a real-world example, and don’t forget to bring enthusiasm for product, people, and progress.
Bonus Interview Tips:
Research current John Lewis product ranges and their sustainability strategy.
Prepare a SWOT analysis of a product category if asked.
Dress professionally, even on video interviews.
Ask insightful questions about future category plans, digital integration, or omnichannel strategy.
Good luck—you’ve got this!
