Buying Assistant

Job Description

This is a fantastic entry level opportunity to join a growing buying team - the role offers excellent long term opportunities to progress to Assistant BuyerJob OverviewReporting to the Senior Buyer within our Home Textiles category, this role lends administrative support to both the Home Textiles and Home Accessories categories, covering over 1,000 products within the range, in addition to the own brand collections whichwe develop for our many nationwide customers.Working within a team of five, you will work within the buying team to lend administrative support to our twice-yearly collection launches, as well as our own brand product development. We are a creative and design led team whereby, in addition to your administrativeand support responsibilities, you will get involved in our product design and development process, working with our international supply base. Likewise, you will work collaboratively across our interdependent departments, from our in-house design and photographystudio to our stock planning and Quality Control teams, to help manage the department critical path and on time delivery of our product development plan.We are looking for a creative individual of post graduate level who is looking for a first role within Buying. Whilst offered as a support role, this position affords the opportunity to gain exposure to and experience of the buying and product developmentprocess. You will become involved in both inter departmental, supplier and customer meetings and will work closely with the buyers to support the creative development process.Knowledge of our systems and administrative requirements is key, whereby data and product information is completed accurately and in a timely manner, supported by the Buying team. You will manage samples and requests from key stakeholders with a can-do attitude,as well as the managing the day-to-day maintenance of our two on site showrooms.Key responsibilities - AdministrationCompletion of all relevant data to support our product launches

• From the maintenance of our product range plans to the inputting of product set up data into our systems, you will lend full support to the creation of new products
• Supporting the buyers with inputting product information and administering information for other areas of the business, from providing product sheets to our sales teams to liaising with our in-house photography studio on sample management

General Support

• Conduct comparative competitor shopping when requested, to lend support to both our creative decision making and product pricing
• Liaise with interdependent departments, from the design studio to QC team, to ensure that we adhere to their requirements in line with our critical path
• Work with the buyers to update all internal documentation to inform the buying process, and the day to day management of our critical path

Key responsibilities - Administration and CommunicationStakeholder Management & Communication

• Maintaining good relationships with relevant teams
• Working collaboratively to support the buying team
• Maintaining a hands-on approach to the tasks presented, from unpacking samples to setting up our meeting rooms and showrooms for key presentations

Organisation & Skillset

• Good organisational skills, with a creative eye and a passion for homewares

Online/ Customer Journey

• Site walks - Check regularly online for any mistakes to products and resolve where possible or escalate to relevant team, ensuring problems are corrected.

Teamwork

• The ability to work within a team environment
• Communicating progress and any issues with meeting deadlines

Personal Development

• Desire to learn the buying process, with the potential over an 12-18 month period for promotion to Assistant Buyer level
• Proactive in seeking feedback
• Honest and open

Experience & Skills Required

• Graduate level or relevant experience
• An interest in the Homewares market, with a passion for design
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work proactively and independently
• Prior knowledge of Excel and Power Point a benefit
• Team player, collaborative and self-motivated
• Organized and able to prioritise workload

• Working Hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00 - 17:00 and Friday 08:00 to 16:00 with 45 minute lunch so 40.25 hrs per week

Perks

• 23 days holiday increasing to 28 after 5 years
• Auto enrolment pension scheme
• Excellent staff discount

Required skills

• Administrative Duties
• Buying
• Career Opportunities
• Merchandising
• Textiles
• Fashion Buying
• Home Accessories
• Homewares
• Graduate Level