Assistant Buyer - Gifting & Accessories

FASHION PERSONNEL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative cultural organization in central London is seeking a freelance assistant/junior buyer to join their retail team. This exciting temporary role involves hands-on product development and buying across a diverse range of gifts, homeware, and stationery. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in buying, strong sourcing knowledge, and excellent communication skills. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring creative products to life while managing timelines and ensuring quality. With a competitive hourly rate and opportunities for paid holidays and pension, this role is perfect for a commercially-minded individual looking to make an impact in a vibrant environment.

Benefits

Paid Holiday Entitlement

Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a buying/product development role, ideally within gifts and stationery.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing and production processes with UK and overseas suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver seasonal product ranges across gifting, homeware, and stationery.
• Manage the full product lifecycle from concept to final delivery.

Skills

Buying/Product Development

Sourcing and Production Processes

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Organisational Skills

Commercial Awareness

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft NAV

Job description

We're looking for a freelance assistant/junior buyer to join the retail team of a cultural and creative organisation based in central London, working across a diverse range of gifts, design-led homeware, and stationery. This is a temporary role for an initial 3 months. Suitable candidates must be immediately available and not on notice.

This is a hands-on, end-to-end buying & product development role, working closely with cross-functional teams and external suppliers to bring thoughtful, commercially-minded products to life - all rooted in creativity, storytelling, and quality.

The role:

- Develop and deliver seasonal and campaign-based product ranges across gifting, homeware, and stationery.

- Manage the full product lifecycle - from concept and supplier briefing through to final delivery.

- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure product alignment with marketing, merchandising, and creative strategies.

- Support packaging development and ensure all specs, artwork, and product information are accurate and production-ready.

- Maintain product trackers, timelines, and costings with close attention to detail and commercial awareness.

- Research trends and product innovations to inform development direction and suggest new ideas.

- Contribute to sustainability initiatives and supplier data collection where needed.

The candidate:

- Prior experience in a buying/product development role, ideally within gift, stationery, accessories, and jewellery.

- Strong knowledge of sourcing and production processes, with experience working with UK and overseas suppliers.

- Confident managing timelines, critical paths, and multiple product categories simultaneously.

- Excellent communication, problem-solving and organisational skills.

- A strong eye for product, with good aesthetic judgement and attention to quality and detail.

- Commercially minded, with the ability to balance creativity with margin and price considerations.

- Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Microsoft NAV is a bonus.

As a freelancer you will receive a competitive hourly rate, paid weekly, alongside paid holiday entitlement and the opportunity to join a pension scheme.

This is a temporary opportunity, likely to be filled quickly - so apply today to avoid missing out!