Assistant Buyer

Debenhams-Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

PrettyLittleThing is seeking an Assistant Buyer in Manchester to support the Buyer in sourcing and developing ranges, ensuring on-time delivery in line with brand strategy. You will collaborate with BAAs, contribute to trade decisions, and help build future talent within the team.

In this fast-paced fashion environment, you will analyse weekly trade data, assist with supplier and sample coordination, and drive pricing and product development with attention to fit and quality.

Qualifications

• Experience within a previous buying role.
• Preferably within a fashion business.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who supports others during peak times.
• Confident using Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to weekly trade pack, reviewing department best and worst, suggesting move ons for new reactions.
• Reacts to daily trading reports, feeding back to Buyer on new reactions.
• Achieves cost price reductions on first time rebuys.
• Carries out weekly comp shops and supports the BAA in collating the comp shop report.
• Works closely with the buyer and garment techs to react to high returning lines.

Skills

Buying experience

Team player

Excel

Trend spotting

Tools

Excel

Job description

A legacy in progress...

Say hello to a new era of modern sophistication...PrettyLittleThing has undergone a rebrand. A bold new vision shaping a brand that celebrates both heritage and evolution. Fashion is all about reinvention, and at PLT we are proving that style is more than just what you wear, it’s a statement. We are stepping away from being a fast fashion brand, and pivoting towards giving customers premium quality product and design.

Are you ready to join our movement?

THE ROLE

As an Assistant Buyer you will support the Buyer in sourcing and developing our product ranges with the brand. This role will include constantly reviewing the critical path to ensure that department targets, as well as deliveries, are met on time and in line with the brand and strategy. You will play a part in coaching our BAAs and share your skills and experience to

help build our future talent.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Trade:

• Contributes to weekly trade pack, reviewing department best and worst, suggesting move ons for new reactions.
• Reacts to daily trading reports, feeding back to Buyer on new reactions.
• Achieves cost price reductions on first time rebuys.
• Carries out weekly comp shops and supports the BAA in collating the comp shop report.
• Works closely with the buyer and garment techs to react to high returning lines.

OPO Management:

• Highlights all OPO issues to buyer, making sure any suppliers with issues are highlighted.
• Takes responsibility for weekly OPO meetings alongside AM, BAA and MAA.

Team Management:

• Manages BAA on critical path and OPO management to ensure department targets are chieved and deliveries are on time.
• Manages and develops the BAA and supports with their training.

Creative:

• Contributes to product development with an awareness of department best and worst.
• Generate ideas to support department strategy through product, studio and VM.
• Carries out daily review of department galleries to ensure product is being shot correctly.

Sage:

• Uses Sage to find pricing and supplier information when needed.
• Amends prices/description/dates and supplier information.

Product Development:

• Assists JB/Buyer in product development and sends out own briefs.
• Understands category fabrics, their compositions, weights, and prices.
• Takes ownership for chasing in development samples.
• Has a basic understanding of category frameworks in relation to product development.

Production Samples:

• Approves all fit samples.
• Manages and oversees samples being sent to studio and organise shoot rails.

Fits:

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of fitting and technical terminology.
• Leads all fit sessions, along with Quality Control.
• Takes ownership for ensuring fit comments sent.

Supplier Management:

• Takes ownership of OPO and critical path to make sure all intake lands on time.
• Attends weekly supplier meetings.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Experience within a previous buying role. Preferably within a fashion business.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

A team player. Someone who enjoys going above and beyond to support others in

the team where needed, especially during peak times.

Super adaptable and find it easy to switch it up when the business needs

Ability to delegate and share workload to the team effectively, conscious of others’ workloads and abilities.

Always ahead at spotting trends and commercial wins for the business.

Confident using Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Excel.