Assistant Buyer - Homes & Living

FGH (Freemans Grattan Holdings); Bradford; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Bradford is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join their Electricals team. In this hybrid role, you will develop and implement product ranges while managing relationships with suppliers. Candidates should have proven experience in a buying team, excellent communication skills, and be analytical. The role involves occasional business travel and requires GCSE Maths and English. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience of working cross-functionally within a business.
• Understanding of core target customer types.
• Ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace.
• Occasional business travel which may include an overnight stay.

Responsibilities

• Select a product range under guidance from the Buyer.
• Manage suppliers and brands, attend trade shows.
• Assist the Buyer to create detailed briefs for new developments.
• Review the market place and latest trends.
• Manage buying development meetings and procedures.

Skills

Proven experience of working within a Buying Team

Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Analytical and data savvy

Excellent organisational skills

Commercial awareness and understanding of KPIs

MS office, especially EXCEL

Confident presenter and comfortable with MS PowerPoint

Education

Maths and English grade C or above, or equivalent GCSE – A Levels

Job description

About the role

We havea great new opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our Electricals team todevelop and implement a departmental product range which satisfies customer requirements and delivers the core values and attributes of the FGH Brands whilst maximising demand and profitability.

This is ahybrid role, working at least 2 days each week in the office and the remainer at home.

Role Responsibilities

• To select a product range under the guidance of the Buyer, which maximises sales opportunities and anticipates and exceeds customer needs – including branded products
• Responsible for managing suppliers and brands, attending trade shows and attending buying appointments.
• Responsible for all web briefs - Set-up, manage and follow through to ensure product availability for live dates
• Review the market place and latest trends in pulling together samples and colour swatches from potential suppliers and in regard to price products of trends
• Manage buying development meetings for the department in absence of Buyer. Work with design, Merchandise and QA to develop range strategy.
• Assist the Buyer to create and compile detailed briefs for new developments and liaise with relevant markets
• Source merchandise to ensure product quality, value and continuity of supply in line with departmental aims
• Assist in range building and product selection
• Develop close relationships with suppliers to ensure timely and accurate samples are produced, work closely with QA to ensure procedures and approval process is to agreed policies and best practice standards
• Manage the critical path dates and schedules to ensure deadlines are met including Photography, sampling, loading, Promotional events and trade actions
• Write product copy and loading cross-sells
• Manage an accurate range plan
• Review in-season trade for the Buyer
• Liaise with Web Content Team and E-Commerce to ensure product copy and photographs reflect the product accurately and offer suggestions for improvement where necessary
• Set-up, manage and follow through all buying administration systems and procedures to ensure product availability and on-time delivery
• Collate information on the supplier’s performance in preparation for the supplier review including Brands both stock and Direct Despatch.
• Manage the sample room and sample process, ensuring the sample room and basement storage is kept tidy and samples are available for photography and PR opportunities when required
• Present and report on season performance and build a new strategy based on this.

About you

• Proven experience of working within a Buying Team
• Competitor knowledge and understanding in both retail, Home shopping and online
• Understanding of core target customer types and end-use of offer
• Experience of working cross-functionally within a business
• Commercial awareness and understanding of KPIs
• Analytical and data savvy
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Flexible and positive attitude and approach to work
• MS office, especially EXCEL
• Understanding / appreciation of contracts and supplier onboarding
• Confident presenter and comfortable with MS PowerPoint
• Maths and English grade C or above, or equivalent GCSE – A Levels
• Able to commute to Bradford city centre
• Occasional business travel which may include an overnight stay

Desirable

• Experience of supplier liaison meets
• Knowledge of working with brands
• Understanding / appreciation of contracts and supplier onboarding
• Confident presenter and comfortable with MS PowerPoint