Assistant Buyer

**About us**

DCK is one of the world's leading fashion jewellery companies, working with many well-known retailers and high street fashion brands such as River Island, M&S, Tesco, Matalan to name a few. We have over 25 years’ experience in fashion jewellery. We are experts in designing, developing and trading in accessories, working with a wide range of partners and selling directly to consumers.

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Assistant Buyer to work based across both our Billericay office and remote working.

This is a full time, permanent role.

We are currently working in a flexible way, within core hours of 10am - 4pm and also working in a hybrid approach between home and office working.

**Primary purpose**:
To work with the buying team and wider business to plan, deliver and trade product ranges, tailored to the target customer, establishing and maintaining a clear brand positioning that sets to achieve and exceed sales plans and expectation. Supporting the buyer to manage the critical path and product life cycle, working effectively and efficiently, to ensure a smooth and consistent running of the brand.

**Key responsibilities**:

- Understand supplier base and detailed product specification, to competently negotiate orders, to achieve and exceed a balanced target margin, paying fair prices for product without sacrificing the brand positioning and handwriting, ensuring optimal quality and margin are achieved.
- Prepare relevant information and product for meetings to support the building of ranges that are in line with the customer profile, end host requirements and brand critical path.
- Manage the attribution and listing of products on the range plan and brand line prints, being directly accountable for accuracy.
- Manage and lead projects for the brand as required, including the development of exclusives, which are in line with the brand handwriting; packaging; press; sub/top store ranges and (critical path/order management/product lifecycle).
- To prepare and manage samples sent via DHL to suppliers for negotiations and trip preparation/development.
- Manage the critical path from order of range to approval stage.
- Manage and prepare information required for trading and internal meetings, following up with implementation and tracking of relevant actions.
- Influence the buyer with product development that is customer driven and aligns with brand identity, with attention to commerciality, costing and innovation.
- Undertake competition shops to support the buyer in aligning the brand positioning with regard to changing market expectations. Research, collate and present market trends and product areas for trend and developmental meetings
- Identify opportunities in the range to support the buyer with improving speed-to-market, and increased brand credibility and outreach.
- Ensure all administration and systems are accurate and updated in a timely manner, to enable clear and consistent information.

**Skills, experience and qualifications**:

- Competent numerical skills for negotiation and trading.
- Fully understand the impact of all range decision on margin % and value for the business.
- Good working ability with relevant IT systems (Microsoft Office).
- Strong and developed understanding of the retail market, fashion trends and brand positioning, both UK and internationally.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and present, competently and clearly, a good assertive influencer. Strong organisational and task management skills, with the ability to manage own workload and oversee the work of others.
- W**hy choose DCK**
- Opportunity to work for a leading independent global fashion business
- Be part of a welcoming, friendly business that promotes learning and developing from day one
- Work-from-home opportunities and flexible working hours, to help you develop a healthy work-life balance
- Early finish every Friday
- Private medical health insurance
- Heavily staff discounted fashion and jewellery allowance
- 25 days holiday (+bank holidays and the ability to buy 5 more days)
- Free Parking
- Free refreshments and fruit with lunch on us once a week
- Community Group Social Events
- Plus, many more additional benefits