Assistant Buyer

Cotswold Outdoor Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading outdoor retailer in the United Kingdom is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support seasonal planning and execute buying strategies. This role offers the opportunity to build supplier relationships and analyze market trends. Candidates should have experience as an Assistant Buyer, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Excel. The position includes a starting salary of £26,000 - £28,000, hybrid working options, and 33 days of holiday.

Benefits

Yearly bonus of up to £1,500

32 days holiday

Staff discounts of 40-60%

Savings on essentials through perks hub

Qualifications

• Experience across multiple product categories and brands.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Sharp eye for numbers and excellent time management.

Responsibilities

• Support seasonal planning, analysis, and presentations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to communicate product direction.
• Assist in the development of seasonal buying strategies.
• Build supplier relationships and negotiate pricing.
• Monitor sales and provide actionable insights.
• Manage product samples and support photo shoots.
• Participate in store visits and trade events.

Skills

Experience as an Assistant Buyer

Commercial thinking

Confident communication

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Excel proficiency

PowerPoint proficiency

Job description

At Cotswold Outdoor Group, the outdoors isnt just where we work, its who we are. Every day, our head office teams play a vital role in helping people get outside, explore more, and experience the world around them.

We’re looking for an Assistant Buyer to join us on that journey. This role is about more than just day-to-day responsibilities, it’s about shaping how we inspire our customers, support our stores, and grow our community of adventurers.

We’re currently based in Kemble but will be moving to central Swindon in Spring 2026 - just a short walk from the train station and the new bus boulevard. Its an exciting next step in our adventure, and a chance for you to be part of it from the very start. You can take a look at our new location here: 1 Newbridge Square, Swindon.

About Us

We believe life’s better when its lived outdoors. From hiking and wild swimming to simply stepping away from the screen, nature helps us feel alive.

At our head office, every role helps make those adventures possible. Whether its shaping our systems, supporting our teams or driving key initiatives, youll play a vital part in helping people get outside and explore more.

We’re part of the Cotswold Outdoor Group, including Runners Need and Snow + Rock, offering trusted brands, expert advice, and a commitment to protecting the planet.

Whether its your first step or your next move, youll find opportunities to learn, grow, and be part of something bigger.

How will you make an impact?

• Supporting seasonal planning, analysis, and presentations, capturing key insights and lessons learned
• Collaborating with cross‑functional teams to align and communicate product direction
• Assisting in the development and execution of seasonal buying strategies to drive commercial performance
• Building supplier relationships and negotiating to optimise pricing and margin
• Monitoring sales, competitor activity, and trading KPIs to provide actionable insight
• Managing product samples, preparing for seasonal photo shoots, and supporting range reviews
• Representing the Buyer when required and participating in store visits and trade events across the UK and Europe

You’ll fit right in if…

• You have experience as an Assistant Buyer across multiple product categories and brands
• You think commercially and stay ahead of market and trend developments
• Youre a confident communicator who can influence and collaborate across teams
• You have solid negotiation skills and a sharp eye for numbers
• Youre highly organised, with excellent time management and leadership experience
• Youre skilled in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to present ideas clearly and effectively

What’s in it for you?

Joining our team means more than just getting paid a salary, its a welcome to a workplace that values you, your growth and your wellbeing.

You’ll Enjoy

• Starting salary of £26,000 - £28,000 with a yearly bonus of up to £1,500
• Hybrid working options to support your work‑life balance
• 33 days holiday allowing you to recharge and explore the outdoors
• Staff discounts of 40‑60% across our full range of outdoor brands
• Savings on everyday essentials including groceries, travel, fitness, and entertainment through our perks hub

Applications from all genders and backgrounds encouraged

We welcome applications from all genders, backgrounds, and experiences. Diverse teams make us stronger, helping us learn, grow, and create a place where everyone belongs.

We want to hear your voice so encourage you to write your own application and use AI tools sparingly. We’re looking for honesty, authenticity, and a real sense of who you are. Applications that feel generic or AI‑generated may not stand out.

This advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so dont wait too long to apply.