Assistant Buyer - Own Brand Womenswear

The Very Group; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a creative and dedicated Assistant Buyer for their Own Brand Womenswear team. This role offers the chance to work closely with suppliers and the design team to create a commercial range that resonates with customers. You will have the opportunity to manage a Buying Assistant and develop your skills while ensuring that the product range is competitive and aligned with market trends. If you are passionate about fashion and retail and eager to grow your career, this position is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Benefits

Flexible, hybrid working model

£250 flexible benefits allowance

27 days holiday + bank holidays

Udemy learning access

Bonus potential

Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

Matched pension up to 6%

Qualifications

• Experience in a buying role or transferable skills from a relevant profession.
• Strong understanding and passion for Buying.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships and work with design teams.
• Conduct trade meetings on trends and forecasts.
• Supervise a Buying Assistant and deputize for the Buying Manager.

Skills

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Commercial Awareness

Relationship Management

Negotiation Skills

Education

Relevant Degree or Equivalent Experience

Job description

About us.

We areThe Very Groupand we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options onVery.co.ukto help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About the Team.

Our Buying team have some of the best minds in fashion and retail and are leading the way in finding the next trends and products.

We’re excited to share an opportunity for a high-reaching, creative and dedicated individual looking to expand their buying career.

About the role.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer on Own Brand Womenswear on the Celebrity and Influencer department. You’ll report directly into a Buyer / Buying Manager for the area and manage a Buying Assistant so lots of opportunity to further develop your skills.

Day to day you will be meeting and handling supplier relationships, working closely with the design team to develop a commercial range suited to our customer, producing and communicating reports at trade meetings on trends, forecasts and opportunities.

We’re looking for an Assistant Buyer who already has experience at this level or someone who has transferable skills in a relevant profession and can demonstrate a strong understanding and passion for Buying.

The skills and behaviours imperative to being a successful Assistant Buyer candidate are; methodical, passionate, strong communication skills, can demonstrate initiative, has a strong eye for product, understand the current market/competition and you must have excellent attention to detail.

About you.

• Able to work cross functionally across departments within the business such as PR and creative teams and externally with Celebrities and Influencers.

• Frequent travel to London for Celebrity shoots and appointments

• Sample management key with chasing samples ahead of shoots, sign offs, collating fit samples, liaising with VM teams to ensure visibility of sign off product per month.

• Able to deputise for the Buying Manager and Buyer in key meetings.

• Liaison with Senior Management Team and can clearly articulate category performance.

• Trading actions – identifying how to improve best sellers and identifying worst sellers and minimising risk.

• UK supplier appointments and negotiation with support of manager.

• Critical path management including product approvals and leading the garment fit process.

• Relationship management: both internally and externally will be important, building positive relationships to improve commercial opportunities.

• Commercial awareness: Awareness of the market is key, keeping track of competitor activity, market trends and price positioning.

• Ensuring weekly checks of imagery, price and relevant copy.

• Management of a buying assistant in the team, providing development and career progression.

Some of our benefits.

• Flexible, hybrid working model
• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews

• £250 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 27 days holiday + bank holidays
• Udemy learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be foundon our career site

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.

You can expect a one-stage interview process for this position:

1st stage- A one-hour face to face interview with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience + competency type questions.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.