Assistant Buyer

JD Sports Fashion; Bury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports fashion retailer in Bury is seeking a motivated individual for a merchandising role. Key responsibilities include supporting buyers, driving sales, and managing brand relationships. The ideal candidate will possess strong product knowledge, retail experience, and excellent organisational skills. Join us for development opportunities and staff discounts.

Benefits

Development opportunities

Staff discounts

Personal development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of store base and website.
• Confidence in building relationships with brands and internal departments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced buying office environment.

Responsibilities

• Visit markets and stores to support the Buyer.
• Assist in selection and editing of products.
• Propose ways to drive sales based on performance.

Skills

Product knowledge

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Retail experience

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Established in 1981, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors, and Gyms. We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry.

To achieve this, we are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team. The key roles and responsibilities of this position include:

• Visiting relevant markets and JD Stores to support the Buyer and increase market/competition knowledge
• Assisting the Buyer by attending all appointments, with involvement in selection and editing of product
• Assisting the Buyer in preparing and presenting ranges for sign off with the relevant functions
• Preparing and presenting performance in trade meetings
• Proposing ways to drive sales in the relevant department by reviewing sales and constantly looking for opportunities
• Creating and presenting planograms for the relevant category
• Building relationships with key brands through regular dialogue
• Researching and proposing new brand opportunities for the relevant category
• Driving social media and marketing content via marketing and multichannel teams to ensure category features across all channels
• Managing samples

The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive knowledge of our store base and website
• Strong awareness of product details
• Awareness of incoming stock and the ability to manage the file in the Buyer's absence
• Confidence in building relationships with brands and internal departments
• Proactive and confident in suggesting changes
• Confidence to challenge and influence at all levels

In terms of skills and experience, we are looking for:

• Relevant branded buying or merchandising experience (advantageous but not essential)
• Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends
• Retail experience
• Computer literacy (Knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint advantageous but not essential)
• Organisational skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced buying office environment

We offer our colleagues:

• Development opportunities linked to your role
• An opportunity to work across multi-brands both UK and internationally
• Staff discounts on JD Group and other brands within the organisation
• Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work