Assistant Buyer

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

Job summary

A leading craft retail company in Christchurch is seeking an Assistant Buyer to provide administrative support within the buying team. Responsibilities include sales analysis, maintaining trackers, coordinating samples, and liaising with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have experience in a buying department, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Competitive salary and benefits include a hybrid working policy and a discount card for store purchases.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

40% Discount Card for Stores

Hybrid working policy

33 days holiday inclusive of Bank Holidays

Free Onsite Parking

Dog Friendly Office

EV Charging Point

Free Hot Drinks

Birthday Day Off

Company pension contribution – up to 4%

Employee Assistance Programme

Cash Health Plan

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

Colleague Social Events throughout the year

Qualifications

• 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 customer-first approach.

Responsibilities

• Providing sales analysis on a weekly basis.
• Updating and maintaining trackers for sales performance.
• Co-ordination of all samples.
• Set up promo packs.
• Approving POS.
• Assist with Store checks on launch days.
• Attend Activity planning meetings.
• Conduct regular store visits.
• Liaising with suppliers.

Skills

Customer service

Creative

Knowledgeable

Tools

Microsoft Office – Excel

Job description

Assistant Buyer – Hobbycraft Head Office, Christchurch

Location: Bournemouth

Reference: HOB1165282

Closing Date: 26/01/2026 23:59

Contract: 1 x Permanent Contract & 1 x 12 Month FTC

Salary: up to £25-£27,000 DOE + pension with a 4% contribution, 25 days holiday increasing every year, 40% discount in our stores, hybrid working policy, dog friendly office and many more!

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 provided 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

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

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 practice 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.