Graduate Assistant Buyer

Our client is a fabulous family run business with over 75 years of experience. They are a business that offer design and manufacturer of Fashion accessories to include bags, belts, wallets and giftware to the high street with a portfolio of private label customers and their own branded division.  This is a fantastic company to work for as they truly value all their staff and encourages engagement, empowerment, and growth. They now have a new opportunity to join their team as a Assistant Buyer.  This position is to be based full time in the office.  

Graduate Assistant Buyer - The Role:

• Critical path management - accountable for the brands NPD critical path planner. Responsible for diarising key meetings and monitoring team delivery against deadlines/ escalating any issues to Head of Brands.
• Sample management – manage the sample library.
• Supplier management - maintain regular communication with suppliers to tackle issues in a timely manner, escalating as necessary to the wider team.
• Approvals – working with the Merchandiser and Brand Manager, ensure that all samples and product components are delivered from suppliers and approved on time to maintain delivery dates.
• Barcoding – designing/creating bespoke & in-house barcoding for key customers.
• Market awareness – input into the commercial pricing strategy by conducting competitive shopping analysis including price benchmarking. Awareness of sales analysis to support suggestions/improvements to range and price strategy.
• Range development– based on competitor analysis, provide suggestions for seasonal range strategy to drive new product development and best value for the customer.
• Creative support – providing graphic support to our Brand Manager, assisting on packaging briefs as required. Provide support with marketing/photoshoots alongside our Marketing & Social Media Manager as required. Pull together product presentations for Brand Managers and Sales to support product strategy and selling.
• Selling tools – responsible for the successful delivery of selling tools to support our agent network including the seasonal product catalogue, sales prospecting packs and salesmen samples.
• Teamwork– work alongside the sales, creative, procurement and merchandising team as the pivotal link between product and commercial.

Graduate Assistant Buyer - The Candidate:

• Market & Industry Knowledge - Creative and innovative with an interest in retail, consumer, and product trends.
• Organisational skills - highly organised, you'll be able to proactively manage a wide range of priorities and responsibilities throughout the development process. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects.
• Creative ability - Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office is desirable. Technically capable, with a flair for creativity.
• Analytical support – commercially astute with good Excel skills. Able to prepare appropriate data to support product meetings. Able to accurately input data into systems and the range plan as required to support the wider team.
• Passion for product: Personal determination and drive to succeed, a passion for products and an entrepreneurial approach. Positive and proactive with a real 'make it happen' approach.
• Effective teamwork – collaborative approach & ability to engage effectively and consistently at all levels. Willingness to flex workload to support the wider team. Excellent communication, able to build positive and constructive relationships with colleagues.
• Must live within an easily commutable distance and drive

Graduate Assistant Buyer - The Package: 

• Salary depending on experience
• Excellent benefits package including excellent holiday entitlement, private health care, bonus and pension.  Plus other softer benefits like discounted staff sales and wellbeing events.

Due to the anticipated interest in this role only short listed candidates will be contacted.
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