Assistant Buyer

Historic Environment Scotland; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable cultural organization in Edinburgh is seeking a Retail Buyer to develop and manage product ranges that reflect its brand. The role includes maintaining product data, investigating stock issues, and supporting a retail team that generates significant income across Scotland. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, experience in retail, and be detail-oriented. This position offers a starting salary of £27,519 and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

25 days annual leave pro-rata

Professional subscriptions reimbursement

Education support

Flexible working hours

Free entry to properties

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines.
• Experience in retail required.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain product information on retail system.
• Investigate barcode issues to avoid stock loss.
• General admin support.
• Assist Buyers in range preparation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strong attention to detail

Demonstrable knowledge in retail

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Negotiation

Tools

AS400

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Description

Starting salary: 27519

Contract type: Fixed term for 6 months

Grade: 2

Location: Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH (with hybrid working)

Working Hours: 28 hours per week

Interviews: To be held in person on week commencing 07 December 2025

The retail team generates over 10 million from 70 shops across Scotland. The buyers role is to develop and source a product range that represents reflects and promotes the organisation and its brand objectives. The ranges must be commercial and maximise the potential income from retail sales. Product purchased must sell through at an agreed rate and must achieve the targeted margins while selling at a commercial and competitive price.

For more information about the post and information about the team please access the full job description for this post. Please note that if you dont have Office 365 installed on your device this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• Setting up and maintaining information for all products on our retail system including requesting information from suppliers on MOQs prices carriage paid levels barcodes.
• Waste packaging and updating supplier notes to ensure all system data is up to date and accurate.
• Investigating barcode issues to avoid stock issues and loss of sales.
• General support to the team including participating in promotional activitiesAssisting the buyers in consultations with suppliers ensuring we are adhering to critical path timelines.
• Continual review of buying processes and procedures to improve day-to-day procedures. Assist in reviewing suppliers in line with our sustainable procurement ethics and Modern Slavery policies adhering to Scottish Government shops pricing comparisons with competitors to keep consistency in pricing.
• Liaising with suppliers and sites to create and implement an operational tasting calendar.
• Assisting the Buyers in range preparation structure market trends seasonal variations and opportunities.
• General admin support.

Key requirements of the role

In order for you to be successful in this post we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1200 words) using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life home life education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential

• Analytical skills and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in retail.
• Ability to manage deadlines.
• A proactive mindset and able to effectively manage priorities.
• Strong communication skills.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds regardless of age race gender or gender identity religious beliefs marital status sexual orientation disability or support of our Gaelic Language Plan we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format please reach out to us via email at or call our Head Office at 0 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that at this time we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online please read our How to Apply followed by Apply Now button to begin your application.

Key Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Purchasing
• Organizational skills
• AS400
• Math
• Pricing
• Analysis Skills
• Merchandising
• Microsoft Excel
• Retail Math
• Administrative Experience
• Negotiation

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1