Assistant Buyer / Merchandiser

Silverstone; Silverstone; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Silverstone is seeking an Assistant Buyer/Merchandiser to support buying, planning and stock management for major events across the circuit. You will coordinate product ranges, supplier briefs and merchandising for brands at the British Grand Prix, MotoGP and other events, ensuring on-brand presentation and timely stock availability.

The role requires strong Excel skills, excellent organisation, and the ability to work under peak event pressure, with weekend and extended hours as needed to

Qualifications

• Strong Excel skills.
• Excellent organisation and time management.
• Confident communicator with suppliers and internal teams.
• Analytical mindset with numerical accuracy.
• Experience in events, retail, motorsport, or product environments preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment during major events.
• Proactive, detail-oriented and eager to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist in selecting and planning product ranges for major events and seasonal demand.
• Prepare buying packs, product briefs and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate samples, approvals and maintain a sample library.
• Gather costings, MOQ details and supplier information for decisions.
• Maintain accurate product data including descriptions, attributes and pricing.
• Prepare and maintain event-specific range plans for stock across the circuit.
• Support merchandising of retail spaces with strong product presentation.
• Monitor sales and replenishment needs during events.
• Coordinate stock reports and liaise with warehouse on deliveries and stock flow.
• Assist with event promotions, launches and on-site activations.
• Work with E-commerce to ensure online event information is accurate.
• Communicate with suppliers on orders, lead times and quality requirements.
• Raise purchase orders and track to delivery.
• Manage sample room and ensure correct logging and pricing.

Skills

Excel

Organisational skills

Supplier communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Events/retail experience

Job description

The Assistant Buyer/Merchandiser supports the commercial and events teams in delivering well-planned, brand-aligned product ranges for Silverstone's major events, including the British Grand Prix, MotoGP, Silverstone Festival, CarFest, and other key race weekends. The role combines product administration, supplier coordination, merchandising support, and operational planning to ensure all event areas are equipped with the right ranges, stock levels, and presentation standards to maximise sales performance and enhance the visitor experience. Flexibility is essential, as weekend working, extended hours during peak periods, and stepping up to support event operations, including acting as Duty Manager when required, form part of this role.

Application Deadline: 25 September 2026

Department: Merchandise

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Silverstone

Reporting To: Head of Retail

Silverstone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all team members and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and DBS checks at the appropriate level will be obtained prior to employment commencing.

Key Responsibilities

Buying & Product Support

• Assist in selecting and planning product ranges tailored to major events and seasonal demand.
• Prepare buying packs, product briefs, and supporting documentation.
• Request samples, manage approvals, and maintain an organised sample library.
• Gather costings, MOQ details, and supplier information to support commercial decisions.
• Maintain accurate product data, including descriptions, attributes, and pricing.

Event Range Planning & Merchandising

• Prepare and maintain event-specific range plans, ensuring each retail area across the circuit receives a commercially balanced and relevant assortment.
• Support the merchandising of retail spaces during event build-up, ensuring strong product presentation and alignment with brand standards.
• Work with internal teams to ensure all event retail areas are fully stocked, visually consistent, and ready for high-volume trading.
• Assist with event-specific promotions, product launches, and on-site activations.

Trading & Stock Management

• Monitor sales performance during events and highlight risks, opportunities, and replenishment needs.
• Update stock reports and replenishment trackers to maintain availability across multiple retail locations.
• Liaise with warehouse and operations teams on deliveries, discrepancies, and stock flow during event build and live trading.
• Oversee the setup of promotions and reduced pricing, ensuring all changes are accurately processed in the system and correctly implemented across all event retail areas, supporting clear communication and smooth trading during high-volume events.
• Support the organisation and processing of sample sales ensuring all products are correctly prepared, priced, and recorded in the system, and that all transactions are handled accurately and efficiently.

E-commerce Coordination

• Work with the E-commerce Manager to ensure product information, imagery, and launch details are accurate and delivered on time for online event-related activity.

Supplier & Internal Coordination

• Communicate with suppliers regarding orders, lead times, packaging, and quality requirements.
• Raise purchase orders and track them through to delivery.
• Maintain and update critical paths to ensure deadlines are met ahead of major events.
• Collaborate with marketing, events, operations, and retail teams to support seamless event execution.
• Support the People & Culture team with the selection, ordering, and coordination of staff uniform, ensuring all items are functional, brand-aligned, and delivered on time for major events and peak trading periods.
• Manage new supplier account setup by distributing new account forms, collecting required documentation, and liaising with the Finance team to ensure suppliers are set up accurately and without delay.
• Liaise with the Marketing team regarding new event designs, requesting artwork and communicating lead times, while ensuring speedy sign-off to keep production and delivery timelines on track.

Quality & Sample Management

• Coordinate sample approvals, compare production against signed-off samples, and carry out quality checks on delivered stock to ensure accuracy and compliance with specifications.
• Liaise with suppliers to address and resolve quality issues, coordinating investigations, corrective actions, and replacements where required to ensure all products meet agreed standards ahead of major events.
• Manage the sample room, maintaining an organised and up-to-date sample library, ensuring all items are correctly logged, stored, and accessible for range planning, quality checks and supplier reviews.

Barcode & Labelling Management

• Allocate and issue barcodes to suppliers, ensure correct application on all products, and carry out barcode-scanning checks on incoming stock to confirm accuracy and compliance.

Brand Integrity & Compliance

• Safeguard brand integrity by ensuring all products, packaging, barcodes, and supplier-submitted assets meet brand guidelines, escalating any deviations to maintain a consistent and premium brand experience.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain accurate records, spreadsheets, and shared folders.
• Prepare meeting agendas, take minutes, and follow up on actions.
• Support invoice matching and resolve PO/invoice queries.
• Provide general administrative support to the wider team.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Skills & Experience

• Strong Excel skills
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Confident communicator with suppliers and internal teams.
• Analytical mindset with strong numerical accuracy.
• Experience in events, retail, motorsport, or product-focused environments preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, particularly during major events.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and eager to learn.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially aware with a strong eye for product and presentation.
• Positive, can-do attitude with a collaborative approach.
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks and shifting priorities, especially during event periods.
• Curious, resourceful, and solution-focused.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work weekends and extended hours during peak event periods.
• Willing to step up and support event operations, including acting as Duty Manager when required.