Assistant Buyer

**ASSISTANT BUYER**

We are looking for somebody to provide full support to our Senior Buyer, working as part of a busy buying team, assisting with the daily operational function of the department, getting involved in seasonal buys, helping to select ranges along with the development/delivery of new product lines and including improving existing products.

Working closely alongside the Senior Buyer and the wider team you will ensure sales, stock and margin targets are achieved. This role would suit somebody with bundles of energy and strong communication skills who can successfully drive and contribute to our ranges. A fantastic opportunity to join a thriving online business with the chance to progress and develop your skills further.

**Role Responsibilities**
- Fully supporting the Senior Buyer, ensuring that information on gross margin, trade discounts, markdown support, marketing support and clearance deals are up to date.
- Proactively assisting in the management of the entire life cycle of each product, maximising the potential of each brand.
- Researching nursery trends and competitor products, ensuring your industry knowledge stays up to date, seeking out opportunities to learn more about key categories and brands.
- Providing input on buying decisions, ensuring that you understand how decisions are made and sharing your input with the rest of the team.
- Ensuring product critical paths and weekly workloads are on track to achieve launch dates, highlighting any potential issues and reacting quickly.
- Documenting product information including costings, lead times and MOQ’s into the range plan and product development documents.
- Helping to create product briefs as directed by the Senior Buyer for suppliers and factories, working with QA and Graphic Designer to achieve.
- Building relationships with suppliers and factories to ensure all samples/strike offs are on track and in house on time.
- Documenting all red and gold seal comments and clearly communicating this to the supplier.
- Archiving samples and keeping the showroom organised.
- Liaising with QA and checking all artworks for instruction manuals, labels and cartons are accurate.
- Ensuring spares are agreed with the suppliers and actioned.
- Attending buying meetings, taking minutes and following up any actions.
- Creating visual reports for sharing with the wider team.
- Providing guidance to the Buyers Admin Assistant when needed to help with the efficient running of the department.
- Engaging with other departments within the business to ensure productive relationships.
- Any other ad hoc duties as required.

**Experience and Skills**

Required skills include:

- Super keen to work within an ecommerce environment.
- Minimum 1 years buying experience (ideally gained in a fast paced online retail environment).
- Knowledge of how buying works in an ecommerce environment.
- Excellent organisational, planning and communication skills.
- Knowledge of Excel essential.
- Attention to detail with strong analytical skills.
- Experience working with Europe and Far East sourcing.
- Proven ability to work on own initiative and independently, prioritising when working on several things at once.
- Highly self-motivated, enthusiastic and dynamic, dedicated to driving your own development.
- Clear communicator.
- Team player.

**Working Hours**

Please note this is a full-time, office based, permanent position.

Working hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

**Salary**

Salary is up to £28k and will reflect experience, this will be discussed during the interview.

**Who Are We?**

We are the UK’s leading online baby retailer, ranked best in practice by the Which? Consumer Guide 2021. Established in 1987 we are a family-run business who pride ourselves on providing high-quality yet affordable nursery goods for parents working with leading brands including Joie, Mamas and Papas, My Babiie, Chicco, Snuz, Ickle Bubba and Cosatto to name a few.

**Why Work Here?**

We have experienced double-digit growth over the past 2 years and our team has more than doubled in size, there are no signs of us slowing down anytime soon making it an incredibly exciting time to join us.

**Where Are We?**

Close to Junction 22 of the Manchester orbital route of the M60 and the A62, which is the main road from Manchester to Oldham. The nearest stations are Hollinwood and Moston. We are in a convenient and desirable location for people commuting to work from surrounding areas.

**What Do We Offer?**

We know as a company how much our employees contribute to the success of our business, after all we would not be where we are without them. To show our appreciation we offer company benefits along with extensive progression opportunities.
- Free parking.
- Staff discount.
- Friendly, team orientated environment.
- Extensive progression opportunities.
- Genuine responsibility from day one.
- Exciting and fast-paced working environment.
- Social events (including Pizza Thurs