Apprentice Buying Assistant

Poundland; Walsall; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading discount retailer is seeking Apprentice Buying Assistants for its Walsall location. This role involves working alongside experienced mentors while you study for a Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Apprenticeship. You will assist with market research, manage product samples, and support category management tasks. Ideal candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, and keen on developing a career in retail buying.

Benefits

Professional development

Bonus potential

Free onsite parking

Onsite coffee lounge

Exclusive store discounts

Family-friendly benefits

My Staff Shop discounts

Life assurance cover

Health & wellbeing programme

28 days holiday allowance

Qualifications

• Excellent at handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
• Natural ability to negotiate.

Responsibilities

• Assist with competitor shopping reports.
• Support the organization of product samples.
• Manage spreadsheets and category admin tasks.
• Arrange supplier meetings and actively participate.

Skills

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

At least a grade 4/C in GCSE Maths

At least a grade 4/C in GCSE English

A-levels or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Since our humble beginnings in 1990, Poundland has evolved into a retail powerhouse with over 650 stores and nearly 13,000 dedicated colleagues across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of Dealz in 2011 further solidified our presence, enabling us to reach millions of customers with our unparalleled value offerings. At Poundland & Dealz, we don't just offer products at unbeatable prices; we cultivate an environment where every colleague can thrive and contribute to our mission of providing amazing value to millions of customers. Our commitment to excellence, inclusion, and sustainability forms the foundation of our culture, empowering our team members to be the best versions of themselves while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. We like to keep things simple, so we have just three behaviours that lie at the heart of everything we do and keep us on track. They are Love our customers, Care for our colleagues, and Protect the Pounds and Euros. By living our behaviours every day, we've created a land that is fun, friendly, and full of surprises-a place where our people can truly be the best versions of themselves!
We’re looking for Apprentice Buying Assistants to join the Poundland team, based at our Walsall office. You’ll enrol onto a Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Apprenticeship, mentored by our talented experienced leaders who want to see you succeed. Beauty, cleaning, laundry, pet homeware, seasonal items and much more are the products you’ll develop a deep understanding of.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with competitor shopping reports, including website reviews, store visits and analysing promotional activity to see our missed opportunities.
• Supporting the organisation of product samples, you could be part of bringing in the next viral product.
• Being a key support as part of the range build process.
• Taking ownership of spreadsheets, data is key in buying, along with category admin tasks, including the essential critical path for category products.
• Arranging supplier meetings and attending where needed.
• Being part of the category management team, working across departments, building your internal network and understanding of the product lifecycle.

Requirements / Qualifications

Do you thrive on handling multiple tasks at once, whilst being expertly organised? Do you love learning new skills in a fast paced environment? Do you have natural negotiating skills? If so a career in Buying may just be the perfect one for you. Your attention to detail is on point, you can navigate an excel spreadsheet with ease and your analytical skills are second to none. Numbers have always come easy to you, perhaps maths was your favourite class at school, and you would have gained at least a grade 4/C at GCSE in this subject, along with English. Aside from skills, your approach is essential; a natural team player, who thrives off being around a bustling workplace environment and is at ease building relationships. Positive, determined, with competitive mindset will make for a fantastic career in buying. So is this role right for you? You may have just finished college, having done your A-levels (or equivalent), or you might be a Graduate who is looking for your first step into Buying. If so we could be the employer for you to grow your career with.

Benefits

• Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and a recognised qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
• Bonus Potential: Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Free On-Site Parking: Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle‑free.
• Onsite Coffee Lounge: Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
• Exclusive Store Discounts: Receive a 10% discount on most in‑store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
• Family‑Friendly Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family's needs.
• My Staff Shop: Gain exclusive discounts through our 'My Staff Shop' portal, saving on various products and services.
• Life Assurance Cover: Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family's future.
• Health & Wellbeing Programme: Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Holiday Allowance: Start with 28 days (inc banks) leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day's holiday because we believe birthdays are important.
• Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.

Salary & Working Pattern

Salary: From £20,800 for those 18 to 20 years old / from £25,396 for those 21 and over
Working Pattern: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent