Assistant Buyer (Brands)

MATALAN; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Recognition scheme

Wellbeing support

Life Assurance

Retail rewards platform

Pension Scheme

Career development

Job summary

Matalan in the United Kingdom is seeking an Assistant Buyer to support the Branded Buyer in optimising the customer offer, pricing, and availability across product areas. You will work with the supply base to ensure the best products are delivered at the right price and time.

You will manage daily admin, range sign-offs, and collaborate with Marketing and Ecommerce to drive launches and promotions. The role requires strong organisation, attention to detail, and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an Assistant Buyer, TAB (Trainee Assistant Buyer) or similar role, ideally within Fashion or Homewares retail.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of value fashion and the branded customer.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and ability to work with agility, managing priorities against business needs.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily administrative tasks, including critical path tracking, department organisation, and maintaining systems, while ensuring that all deadlines are met.
• Range responsibility to include the ownership of department section End to End and to successfully present ranges to Branded Buyer for sign off.
• Support Branded Buyer across wider department where required
• Assist in the management of Trainee Assistant Buyers through regular 121's and supporting quarterly performance reviews.
• Through the use of BI and Ecomm reports, prepare accurate information for both Best & Worst and competitor trackers to allow for this to be presented successfully in Trade meetings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the critical path, working efficiently to meet tight deadlines.
• Support the Branded Buyer to identify opportunities in relation to prices, range width, gaps or potential over-ranging
• Work closely with Marketing teams to drive supplier launch and promotional activity across multiple channels, managing supplier assets and content.
• Work closely with Ecommerce teams to optimise product searchability and VM.
• Support new supplier onboarding by understanding the status & next steps to each supplier set up and manage any blockers that may occur.
• Take on an active role within strategy planning and meetings, displaying your understanding of lessons learnt and how to move forward. Being and expert in your field - regularly reviewing competitors and bench marketing.
• Ensure that the new ranges from suppliers are accurate for launch
• Support the Branded Buyer with trade calls with branded suppliers and driving new trading initiatives.
• Manage the End-to-End product launch approval process which includes tasks such as; liaising with suppliers by phone and email, updating critical path and Trello boards, problem solving with key stakeholders, working with OP360 team, ensuring test orders are processed and that online checks are done after launch.
• Conduct regular visits to Matalan stores to stay informed about broader business initiatives
• Attend supplier visits and trade shows where necessary to identify any opportunity, view upcoming ranges and discuss recent trading.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organised

Communicator

Stakeholder management

Job description

About Matalan

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here.

We know as a team, we are stronger together - we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

About the role

As the Assistant Buyer you will support the Branded Buyer in optimising the customer offer, sales, availability and profitability of your designated product area. You will take prompt and precise action to support the planning, pricing, and promotional administration of product ranges, working closely with the supply base to ensure the best products are delivered at the right price and at the right time.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily administrative tasks, including critical path tracking, department organisation, and maintaining systems, while ensuring that all deadlines are met.
• Range responsibility to include the ownership of department section End to End and to successfully present ranges to Branded Buyer for sign off.
• Support Branded Buyer across wider department where required
• Assist in the management of Trainee Assistant Buyers through regular 121's and supporting quarterly performance reviews.
• Through the use of BI and Ecomm reports, prepare accurate information for both Best & Worst and competitor trackers to allow for this to be presented successfully in Trade meetings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the critical path, working efficiently to meet tight deadlines.
• Support the Branded Buyer to identify opportunities in relation to prices, range width, gaps or potential over-ranging
• Work closely with Marketing teams to drive supplier launch and promotional activity across multiple channels, managing supplier assets and content.
• Work closely with Ecommerce teams to optimise product searchability and VM.
• Support new supplier onboarding by understanding the status & next steps to each supplier set up and manage any blockers that may occur.
• Take on an active role within strategy planning and meetings, displaying your understanding of lessons learnt and how to move forward. Being and expert in your field - regularly reviewing competitors and bench marketing.
• Ensure that the new ranges from suppliers are accurate for launch
• Support the Branded Buyer with trade calls with branded suppliers and driving new trading initiatives.
• Manage the End-to-End product launch approval process which includes tasks such as; liaising with suppliers by phone and email, updating critical path and Trello boards, problem solving with key stakeholders, working with OP360 team, ensuring test orders are processed and that online checks are done after launch.
• Conduct regular visits to Matalan stores to stay informed about broader business initiatives
• Attend supplier visits and trade shows where necessary to identify any opportunity, view upcoming ranges and discuss recent trading.

About You

• Previous experience in an Assistant Buyer, TAB (Trainee Assistant Buyer) or similar role, ideally within Fashion or Homewares retail.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of value fashion and the branded customer.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and ability to work with agility, managing priorities against business needs.
• Confident communicator, able to build strong working relationships internally and externally.
• Relationship building with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and ability to present confidently.

Benefits

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service
• Thrive Recognition Scheme
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust
• Life Assurance
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers
• Pension Scheme
• Access to a wide range of career development
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business