Assistant Buyer

PrettyLittleThing.com; Manchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

PrettyLittleThing in Manchester is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support the Buyer in sourcing and developing product ranges. You will monitor the critical path to ensure timely deliveries and coach junior team members, while contributing to trading packs and reacting to daily reports.

The role requires experience in buying within fashion, adaptability for peak times, and strong Excel skills to manage pricing and supplier information. A dynamic team awaits.

Qualifications

• Previous buying experience in fashion preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork to support peak periods.
• Proactive in spotting trends and commercial opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Supports the Buyer in sourcing and developing product ranges.
• Reviews critical path to meet department targets and deliveries.
• Coaches BAAs and contributes to training future talent.
• Contributes to weekly trade packs and reacts to daily trading reports.
• Works with buyers and garment techs to address high-return lines.

Skills

Buying experience

Fashion industry

Team player

Excel

Tools

Sage

Excel

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Uses Sage to find pricing and supplier information when needed.
• Amends prices/description/dates and supplier information.
• 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.
• Approves all fit samples.
• Manages and oversees samples being sent to studio and organise shoot rails.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of fitting and technical terminology.
• Leads all fit sessions, along with Quality Control.
• Takes ownership for ensuring fit comments sent.
• 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.