Junior Buyer

**Job Purpose**:
To efficiently manage newly-selected products through all compliance, testing processes, internal systems and marketing requirements, and in to the business. All new products remain the responsibility of the Junior Buyer until they arrived at our DC, and are released by the Junior Buyer for sale. The Junior Buyer also takes on responsibility for buying ranges, under the guidance of the Buyer. They will work with the buyer to develop a clear commercial strategy based on sales history, market trend, innovation and company objectives. They will be responsible for developing, sourcing, purchasing and introducing new, market
- leading products in conjunction with suppliers, manufacturers, inventors and designers. The junior buyer will present the range at selection with all supporting information, and will ensure it delivers to the key financials.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- To set up on our system and progress all new products. The set up covers testing (both external certificates and internal trialling,) legal compliance, Lakeland quality compliance, price negotiation (with the buyer’s support,) payment terms, MOQs, and delivery requirements. The Assistant Buyer should negotiate all terms in order to achieve the optimum result for Lakeland.
- To ensure all packaging meets our standards and is informative, visually appealing, consistent with our brand, and sits within or alongside other ranges as appropriate. To originate instructions and ensure they are simple, correct and straight forward.
- To ensure all products are legally compliant, all testing is completed, and all relevant test certificates are received, to take advice from the QA team or external QA consultants as required.
- Manage samples effectively, from initial sample to sign off sample. Ensure any Marketing and photography samples are also managed effectively, and are in the optimum location at all times.
- To set up new suppliers, ensuring all paperwork is filled in comprehensively and correctly, and signed off as appropriate.
- Ensure that the Marketing team are able to market the product to their best ability, through the provision of extensive, accurate copy notes, and the clear presentation at the PSM all pertinent facts about each product. This also includes checking catalogue proofs, images and copy, to ensure all information is accurate
- To be proactive and timely in responding to product queries via any channel.
- To be proactive in reviewing returns and star ratings. Taking steps as appropriate to improve the customer experience of any products that fall below expectation. This also covers the management of samples to customers in order to generate reviews at product launch
- To take initiative to minimise the environmental impact of our packaging, referring to all guidance from the QA team and WRAP.
- To support and train any new starters as appropriate
- To support the buyer to develop a department strategy with clear direction based on sales history, market trend, innovation and company objectives
- To source products that deliver this strategy, offering comprehensive price and range architecture, removing duplication, and providing innovative, best in class and curated ranges, with exclusivity wherever possible.
- To work closely with the merchandising team, and others as required, to ensure all ranges are in the optimum space and routes to market. To support the effective management of the range through the season, assisting with any negotiation out of volume or re-sourcing as required
- To take ownership of quality by following the returns review process, and proactively reviewing Star Ratings to take any actions to improve, This also includes acting on any quality issues with stock, or in the case of more serious issues with Customer Services.
- To attend relevant trade shows and meet with suppliers, both off site in the UK, and internationally where appropriate
- To ensure every single product is the best it can possibly be.
- To monitor competitor product development, ranging, packaging and pricing
- To develop strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure we are their first stop for newness, innovation, and launching new exclusive products
- To proactively adhere to deadlines and key dates on the Buying Critical Path
- To ensure all products arrive on time and as per the spec and quality agreed, and in-line with advice from external quality consultants and our internal quality team.
- Assist with initial set up and management of any new Direct Despatch accounts, liaising between the supplier, IT and Contact Centre to ensure all processes are agreed and are satisfactory.
- Provide strong and comprehensive packaging briefs to our packaging agency, where the packaging meets all guidelines, is informative, is visually appealing and is consistent with our brand and other ranges. Minimise attempts to get this right.
- Support all ethical trading requirements, ensuring with the support of the buyer and QA te