Assistant Buyer

Ernest Jones; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount up to 30% on products fromday

Pension/Retirement savings

Life Assurance

Holiday entitlement

Career progression

Health & Wellbeing

Give As You Earn

Real Rewards

Job summary

Signet Jewelers UK & Ireland is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support the Watches & Branded Jewellery portfolio, helping develop compelling assortments and drive business performance.

You will work closely with the Buyer on range planning, supplier management, and launches, while mentoring a Buying Administrator and contributing to top-line growth across leading brands such as H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Assistant Buyer or Senior Buying Administrator in retail/branded jewellery environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with advanced Excel.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with suppliers and understanding of product lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, selection, and development of product ranges in line with category and business strategies.
• Analyzing sales performance, stock levels, and market trends to drive sales, profit, and inventory productivity.
• Preparing product information, reports, and commercial analyses for range reviews, supplier meetings, and business presentations.
• Managing product samples and ensuring key milestones and launches are delivered on time.
• Building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including leading watch and branded jewellery suppliers.
• Assisting with supplier meetings, negotiations, and product selection decisions.
• Conducting competitor analysis and market reviews to identify opportunities, brands, and trends.
• Supporting promotional activity and new product launches with accurate product information across the business.
• Collaborating with merchandising, marketing, ecommerce, supply chain, and store teams to deliver category plans.
• Coaching and supporting the Buying Administrator to develop skills and knowledge.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Organization

Communication

Relationship-building

Supplier experience

Job description

Are you passionate about product, brands, and creating great customer experiences? Do you have a keen commercial eye and enjoy working with market-leading watch and jewellery brands?

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our Watches & Branded Jewellery team at Signet Jewelers UK & Ireland, home to much-loved brands including H. Samuel and Ernest Jones.

As our Assistant Buyer, you'll play a key role in supporting the development and delivery of our Watches & Branded Jewellery offer, working with a portfolio of leading global and fashion brands. You'll support the Buyer in creating compelling product assortments that delight our customers, strengthen our brands, and drive business performance.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone currently working as an Assistant Buyer, or a Buying Administrator ready to take the next step in their buying career.

About the Role

Working closely with the Buyer, you'll support all aspects of the buying process, from range planning and supplier management to trading analysis and product launches. You'll help ensure our collections remain commercially competitive, customer-focused, and aligned to emerging trends and brand strategies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the sourcing, selection, and development of product ranges in line with category and business strategies.
• Analysing sales performance, stock levels, and market trends to identify opportunities that drive sales, profit, and inventory productivity.
• Preparing product information, reports, and commercial analysis for range reviews, supplier meetings, and business presentations.
• Managing product samples and ensuring key milestones and launches are delivered on time.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including leading watch and branded jewellery suppliers.
• Assisting with and owning supplier meetings, negotiations, and product selection decisions.
• Conducting competitor analysis and market reviews to identify new opportunities, brands, and trends.
• Supporting promotional activity and new product launches, ensuring accurate product information is communicated across the business.
• Collaborating with merchandising, marketing, ecommerce, supply chain, and store teams to deliver successful category plans.
• Coaching and supporting the Buying Administrator, helping to develop their skills and knowledge.

About You

You're commercially minded, highly organised, and passionate about product. You enjoy interpreting data and market insights to support buying decisions and can build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders alike.

You'll thrive in a fast-paced retail environment where no two days are the same and where your contribution directly impacts category performance.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience as an Assistant Buyer or a Senior Buying Administrator within a retail, branded, fashion, accessories, jewellery or watches environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with advanced Excel capability.
• Excellent organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, collaborative, and commercially focused approach.
• Experience working with suppliers and an understanding of product lifecycle management.
• A passion for brands, product trends, and delivering great customer experiences.
• Previous experience within watches, jewellery, fashion accessories, or branded products would be advantageous.

We are passionate about our profession, and together we can help you realise your full potential. Come and be part of Signet Jewelers and enjoy the following fantastic benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Generous discount of up to 30% off our fabulous products from day one.
• An annual enhanced discount to celebrate the day you joined our team.
• Retirement Savings plans which offer flexibility in the way you save for the future.
• Immediate Life Assurance from day one.
• A minimum of 22 days holiday per year which increases after a years’ service.
• Recognised qualifications, study support and structured career progression.
• Health and Wellbeing Scheme.
• Financial Wellbeing scheme.
• Give As You Earn scheme – An easy way to support causes close to your heart.
• Real Rewards - exclusive discounts on groceries, travel and leisure.

Signet is the name behind H. Samuel and Ernest Jones. Together, we have more than 270 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. But that’s not all, we are part of the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewellery with approximately 2,800 stores. Just imagine where your career could take you

Signet Jewelers (H. Samuel & Ernest Jones) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are proud to have achieved Disability Confident Committed status (Level 1). All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.