Assistant Buyer

The Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Who are we? For over 30 years, we¿ve travelled, we¿ve laughed, we¿ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. Our purpose is to bring style and positivity to our customers lives through the clothes we make, the things we do and the values we have. We are Made for Life. Equality and inclusion isn¿t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our work places.
Role Summary
Assisting the Buyer in all aspects of the buying function. To maximise profit through effective end to end management of the critical path, commercial understanding of the market, negotiation and BA management
Responsibilities

• Critical path


• Be aware of the Seasonal company critical path and the preparation and deadlines around each key sign off and seasonal development process


• Clear understanding of trigger dates and lead times for your category Manage weekly critical path for your department.


• Develop a strong relationship with category AM to update both buyer and merchandiser of any potential delays.


• Managing approvals and fits and resolving queries and problem solving to ensure shipment dates are met and availability is maximised


• Regular calls with suppliers to develop strong relationships


• Responsible for all sustainable certification through management of the BA Sample and Approval management


• Accountability of the management and preparation of samples and information for Product handover meetings, sign off¿s, outfitting, partner appointments and visual merchandising


• Responsible for overseeing sample management of product library/archive and preparation for fits


• Ensure VLPS are always up to date


• Responsible for organizing approvals and ensuring honesty and print folders are up to date Category development Aware of the department product strategy ¿ analysing supplier, competitor & product information as required Participate in the development process for each collection, contributing lessons learnt on product and suppliers


• Attend sign offs and make clear notes for post sign off development


• Support Buyer in negotiating cost price and ex. dates with suppliers


• Oversee the raising of purchase orders and amends happens in a timely manner


• Have a strong understanding of the market and FF current performance


• Carry out regular comp shops on trend as well as retail map opportunities.


• Analyse and present back findings and make suggestions for retail prices, OTB, repeats, cancellations and style changes


• People and management Manage the training and development of the Buyers Admin.


• Monitoring performance against their training programme, highlighting areas for improvement


• Work closely with other Abs to manage work load, BA development and draw on skills sets


• Work cross functionally within the business ¿ developing strong relationships with design, merch and tech as well as other functions


• Deputise for the Buyer where necessary


• Develop strong relationships with suppliers and internal depts
  
  Degree or equivalent level of qualification Experience in Fashion based subjects


• Strong negotiation skills to achieve targets.


• Strong presentation skills to all levels.


• Highly numerate, able to interpret data to determine decision making, work to budget and KPIs


• Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.


• Team management, and task delegation skills.


• Good planning and organisational skills able to adapt in line with business needs.


Role Competencies

• Understand the buying process from design inspiration to delivery in-store and implications on the critical path.


• Commercial and market awareness.


• Knowledge of the Supply chain & product life cycle.


• Use of Board, D365 and Microsoft Office.


• Organised and can work at pace.


• Good negotiation skills to achieve targets.


• Good numerical skills to interpret and analyse figures.
  
  Please find below our list of benefits


• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays


• Perkbox our online platform to use from day one (this includes amazing online discounts, home workouts, wellbeing content, popular brand discounts e.c.t)


• THRIVE ¿ Our learning management system- access from day one with 1000¿s of pieces of learning


• Dental Insurance (employee funded)


• Pension scheme


• EAP support around the clock- UNUM/Retail Trust/ Fashion Textiles Support


• Critical illness/Death in service for Salaried staff


• Sick pay allowances


• O2 phone discount


• Eye Tests/contributions to glasses Sabbatical leave in line with service


• Enhanced Family Friendly polices i.e. Maternity Leave


• Refer a friend scheme