Assistant Buyer

Candidate Ltd; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Company pension

Employee discount

Flexible working times

Regular company social events

Free flu jabs

Job summary

Candidate Ltd in Manchester is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join a fast-paced, growing team. You will support product development, range building and supplier management, contributing ideas to meet customer needs and timelines.

The ideal candidate has at least two years’ buying administration experience, strong organisational skills, and a proactive mindset to develop their buying career within a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in buying administration or related role.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of product development and supply chain processes.
• Clear communication and presentation skills.
• Proactive, eager to learn and take ownership of tasks.
• Good IT skills, including Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the Buyer with range building and product development, contributing ideas that reflect the target customer and market.
• Manage samples throughout the development process, ensuring approvals are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee sample approvals, including lab dips, strike-offs and final sample sign-offs.
• Coordinate label artwork and support pre-shipment inspection approvals.
• Keep up to date with emerging trends, colours and materials.
• Take ownership of critical path management and ensure milestones and launch dates are achieved.
• Liaise with overseas suppliers and factories to keep product development on track.
• Monitor deadlines and resolve issues that could affect delivery.
• Support the buying process with accurate records and clear communication.

Skills

Organisational skills

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Proactive attitude

Creativity

Tools

Excel

Job description

Manchester | Office-based

Competitive salary

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a proactive, organised and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join a growing, fast-paced business.

Working closely with the Buyer and wider team, you’ll support product development, range building and supplier management, helping ensure products are developed to a high standard and delivered in line with agreed timelines.

This is a great opportunity for someone with a buying administration background who is ready to take on more responsibility, contribute ideas and develop their buying career within a collaborative, commercially focused team.

What You’ll Be Doing

Product Development & Range Building

• Support the Buyer with range building and product development, contributing ideas that reflect the target customer and market.
• Manage samples throughout the development process, ensuring approvals are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee sample approvals, including lab dips, strike-offs and final sample sign-offs.
• Coordinate label artwork and support pre-shipment inspection approvals.
• Keep up to date with emerging trends, colours and materials.

Critical Path & Supplier Management

• Take ownership of critical path management, ensuring key milestones and launch dates are achieved.
• Liaise with overseas suppliers and factories to keep product development on track.
• Monitor deadlines and proactively resolve any issues that could affect delivery.
• Support the smooth running of the buying process, maintaining accurate records and clear communication.

Commercial & Market Awareness

• Carry out online and in-store competitor research to support buying decisions.
• Produce competitor analysis and SWOT reports.
• Develop a strong understanding of the target customer, competitor landscape and relevant marketplace platforms.
• Work closely with the Ecommerce team to support campaigns and photoshoots, including providing creative direction and inspiration for product styling.

What We’re Looking For

• At least two years’ experience in buying administration, ideally within a head-office environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple deadlines.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the product development and supply chain process.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong administrative skills.
• Confident communication and presentation skills.
• Good IT skills, including Excel.
• A creative mindset, with an interest in trends and product development.
• A proactive attitude, a willingness to learn and the confidence to take ownership of your work.

Why Join?

• A fast-paced, collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and progress your buying career.
• Regular company social events.
• Company pension and employee discount.
• Free flu jabs.
• On-site parking.
• Flexible working times.

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