Assistant Buyer

Hobbycraft; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

40% discount

Hybrid policy

33 days holiday

Free onsite parking

Dog-friendly office

EV charging

Birthday day off

Pension contribution

Employee assistance

Health plan

Cycle to work

Wellness programme

Job summary

Hobbycraft Head Office in Bournemouth is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support Buyers and senior colleagues. You will help manage buying processes, coordinate samples, and work with international teams in Hong Kong and India where needed. This hybrid role offers office and home-based days.

The position requires strong Excel and MS Office skills, clear communication, and the ability to multitask in a dynamic retail environment. Salary and benefits reflect experience and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in buying or a similar purchasing role is advantageous.
• Excel proficiency and data analysis skills are essential.
• Excellent communication and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide weekly sales analysis and maintain trackers for sales performance.
• Coordinate all samples and set up promo packs.
• Assist with POS approvals and store launch days.
• Attend activity planning, promo, and seasonal meetings; conduct store visits.

Skills

Excel

Communication

Multitasking

Commercial acumen

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Assistant Buyer - Hobbycraft Head Office

Location: Bournemouth

Fixed Term 12-month contract

Working hours 37.5 hours per week from Monday to Friday.

Hybrid working model is 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home.

Salary £25,000 - £27,000 per year dependent on experience

33 days holiday increasing every year

40% discount in our stores

Creativity is Hobbycraft’s reason for being, so when you join our fantastic team, you will be surrounded by like-minded imaginative people. We believe that working together and embracing new and innovative ideas are the best way to make our colleagues feel part of something.

About The Role

As the Assistant Buyer you will be providing administrative support to the Buyers, Senior Buyers and other team members as required. You will be adaptive, accurate and efficient in assisting our Buyers in the management of all processes within the buying team and work collaboratively with other departments. Occasionally, this may also include working with our teams internationally in Hong Kong and India.

Accountabilities

• Providing sales analysis on a weekly basis as well as updating and maintaining trackers for sales performance
• Ensuring trackers for New Lines are up to date.
• Co-ordination of all samples
• Set up promo packs.
• Approving POS
• Assist with Store checks on launch days.
• Attend Activity planning meetings, ad hoc promo meetings and seasonal meetings.
• Conduct regular store visits.
• Assisting with product programmes and adherence to processes
• Requesting NLF and liaising with suppliers
• Providing accurate information to the Commercial Database Team
• Ensure that filing of all documents within the department is complete.
• Manage samples and flow of information in accordance with own brand growth strategy.

About You

• Previous experience working within a buying department would be an advantage.
• Computer literate - experience using Microsoft Office – Excel essential.
• Confident communicator at all levels
• Able to multitask , whilst prioritising your workload.
• Strong commercial acumen
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Passionate about our product and about putting the customer first.

About Our Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• 40% Discount Card for Hobbycraft Stores and Haskins
• Hybrid working policy
• 33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays with an increase each holiday year
• Free Onsite Parking
• Dog Friendly Office
• EV Charging Point
• Free Hot Drinks
• Birthday Day Off
• Company pension contribution – up to 4% contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme provide by Retail Trust
• Cash Health Plan with Health Shield
• Contribution towards eyesight test and glasses
• Subsidised gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long service awards and gifts
• Continuous training and development
• Colleague Wellness Programme
• A creative working environment
• Colleague Social Events throughout the year

For a full Job Description or more information about this role, please email [e-mail]

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at [e-mail] and let us know what adjustments you may need.

At Hobbycraft we celebrate the joy of crafting, and we celebrate all of our colleagues and customers. As a retailer we have a diverse Colleague base from a broad range of all communities. Our colleagues are recruited for their skill, passion, love of craft and customer service, which is also reflected in our customer base. It is this skill and love of crafting which defines them. Hobbycraft, is an equal opportunity employer who takes equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging very seriously, we regularly review our policies and practices to ensure not only compliance, but also best practise from an employment perspective.

Hobbycraft are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status.

About Us

We’re here to help you create

Our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. This is reflected in our creative and knowledgeable Hobbycraft store colleagues, who are always on hand to help, and our vast, carefully selected range of quality products. Throughout the year, we also host a variety of workshops and demos in stores and online, designed to give everyone the opportunity to master a new craft or refine a beloved one.

We're here to support everyone on their crafting journey, from parents looking to encourage their creative kids, to student artists, expert knitters, model making hobbyists and more! Why not come into your local Hobbycraft store today and find the perfect craft for you?

What's Needed

Customer service

Creative

Knowledgeable

Documents