Assistant Buyer - Kidswear

Matalan; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% staff discount

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Matalan is seeking a Kidswear Assistant Buyer to work with the Buyer to develop product ranges, drive margins and sales, and maintain strong supplier relationships. You will contribute to strategy, range development, and trading activities to ensure successful seasonal outcomes.

You will collaborate with Merchandising and Design to interpret trends, present ranges, and deliver samples that meet margin targets. The role requires a proactive, market-aware approach and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in trainee or assistant buying, preferably within fashion retail.
• Kidswear experience is essential.
• Knowledge of key trends and market.
• Commercially aware and market-focused.
• Ability to work independently to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.
• Experience of development and coaching is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing the product range with the Buyer and Merchandising team.
• Create and present range proposals, ensuring margins meet targets.
• Analyse market and trend data to support strategy for defined ranges.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers and communicate clearly.
• Support the critical path, samples, and pricing aligned with company strategy.
• Attend store visits, gather feedback, and report insights to the team.

Skills

Kidswear experience

Fashion retail

Trend knowledge

Commercial awareness

Interpersonal skills

Independent working

Job description

About the Role

As an Kidswear Assistant Buyer, you'll work closely with the Buyer to ensure the department achieves sales, stock and margin targets through the development of the product range, building and maintaining strong working relationships with the supplier base.

Strategy

• Work alongside the Buyer to provide defined reports that will support creation of strategy
• For a defined product range, undertake market and trend research and analysis to create a strategy proposal.
• Have an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the Divisional and overall Matalan strategy

Range Development for defined product range

• Work alongside Buyer & Merchandising team to develop shape of the range ensuring alignment with the overall departmental strategy & KPI's
• Work alongside Buyer and Designer to interpret the trends and develop commercial ranges within the agreed strategy framework
• Pro-actively bring insight and ideas to support development of wider range
• Present specific ranges in a relevant and impactful way ensuring correct samples are used and all product delivers the agreed margins with support from the Buyer.
• Ensure pricing is well benchmarked and in line with company strategy
• Have full knowledge and understanding of the keyline process

Trading

• Using Monday Trading Reports be able to read and analyse Trade.
• Work with the TAB to ensure data and samples are pulled for Trade meetings on time.
• Highlight Best & Worst to the buyer alongside newness, problem lines and identifying opportunities alongside creation of a supporting commentary - done as part of weekly Trade and at sign off.
• For department, have knowledge of keylines, NOOS lines and event lines
• Work alongside the Merchandising team to ensure the critical path is followed and tracked, flagging any issues or opportunities to the Buyer
• Conduct regular shopping and benchmarking trips highlighting opportunities, price architecture and VM principles
• Following the correct procedure, ensure regular store visits are conducted. Gather relevant feedback to report back to the team.

Suppliers

• Pro-actively build and maintain positive and professional working relationships with key suppliers
• Ensure communication with suppliers is relevant, regular and clear

Divisional Support

• Ensure preparation for selections, sign offs and supplier meetings is accurate, organised and completed to a high standard
• Clear understanding of Marketing protocol and needs
• Clear understanding of packaging requirements for defined range
• Deputise for the buyer as and when required.
• Build and maintain good relationships with the TAB population, acting as a role model and providing support / mentorship as needed
• Understand and as required, be able to facilitate the running of fit sessions

About You

• Experienced within a Trainee or Assistant Buying role, preferably within fashion retail
• Kidswear experience is essential
• Knowledge of key trends and market
• Commercially aware
• Ability to work independently to tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels
• Experience of development and coaching is essential.

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.

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

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