Assistant Buyer

Neptune; Swindon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A home and interiors company is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join their Buying & Product Development team on a 12-month fixed term contract. This role involves supporting the product team, managing the critical path, and ensuring high-quality standards across new ranges. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, organised, and have a passion for homewares, alongside strong skills in data management and communication with suppliers. Competitive salary and substantial benefits included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous Holiday Allowance

Life Assurance

Company sick pay

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Gym membership

Generous discounts on new items

Wellbeing Hub access

Birthday day off

Paid volunteer days

Day off for becoming a grandparent

Life event week off

Refer a friend scheme

Training Workshops

Qualifications

• Experience in a buying environment is essential.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of costing, margin, and range building.

Responsibilities

• Support the product team on the critical path for projects.
• Oversee sample management and organisation.
• Communicate effectively with suppliers to maintain relationships.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Data management skills

Communication skills

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

At Neptune, everything we make is designed to last - thoughtfully crafted pieces that feel good to live with and are made responsibly, from the very beginning. Behind every product is a deep commitment to quality, sustainability and integrity, and we’re looking for an Assistant Buyer to join our Buying & Product Development team, on a fixed term contract for 12 months.

This is a role for someone who loves home and interiors, thrives on organisation, and enjoys being part of the process that brings new ranges to life. As Assistant Buyer, you’ll support the Buyers and Lead Buyers across specific categories, managing the critical path from initial brief through to launch. You’ll help ensure deadlines are met, information is accurate, and communication flows smoothly across the business and with our external partners.

You’ll play a key role in developing new ranges and managing continuity product, working closely with design, technology and suppliers to ensure everything meets Neptune’s standards for quality, margin and finish.

Your Role Will Include

• Supporting the wider product team on the critical path, ensuring dates are correct and communicated effectively to all internal departments
• Overseeing our sample management, ensuring samples and swatches are appropriately organised, filed and archived
• Working closely with the product development technologists, designers and manufacturers to negotiate and establish the best route to final approved samples
• Researching and preparing reports on competitor products and price for the use of the wider team
• Meeting all stages and deadlines within the seasonal product development plan and recording the status of each product
• Communicating effectively with our supply base and building strong supplier relationships
• Always ensuring accuracy and attention to detail when managing our range plan and supplier information in addition to additional ad‑hoc administrative responsibilities

You’ll already have experience in a buying environment and feel confident working across multiple projects at once. You’re organised, detail-focused and naturally curious, with a genuine passion for homewares and interiors. We’re looking for someone with proven experience managing a retail critical path and working with offshore manufacturing and international suppliers. It’s important that you have strong data entry and data management skills and confident using Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Ideally, you’ll have knowledge of the homewares market and our key competitors, and a good understanding of costing, margin and range building.

You’ll be exceptionally organised with a high level of attention to detail, process-driven and methodical and confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders. You’ll be part of a supportive, knowledgeable team where craftsmanship, collaboration and considered thinking come first.

What Benefits We Can Offer You

• Competitive salary
• Generous Holiday Allowance
• Life Assurance
• Company sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym membership
• Generous Neptune new item and outlet discounts
• Perkbox: Wellbeing Hub and Retail Discounts Portal
• Your birthday day off
• Two paid volunteer days a year
• Day off if you become a Grandparent
• A week off to celebrate a life event
• Refer a friend schemeLong service holiday allowance increase
• Training Workshops

Across all locations, we stay united by our company values: Do The Right Thing, Do It Together, Aim High and Keep It Real.

We’re an equal opportunities employer; our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams, with all colleagues and applicants afforded the same opportunities. We encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work, in an environment that actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and where everyone’s voices are heard.

Our Story

Founded in 1996 by friends John Sims‑Hilditch and Giles Redman, Neptune design and make pieces for your whole home. Recognised for our exacting standards, design‑led aesthetic and expert craftsmanship, we’re perhaps most known for kitchens - with heirloom‑worthy dressers not far behind. Neptune’s trademark ‘look’ is British: refined, simple, sturdy, and with an almost obsessive attention to detail. We’re also respected for our commitment to craft and quality. Put simply, we make things we’re proud of, and that are designed to last a lifetime.