Assistant Buyer - Retail and Wholesale

Boden; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading clothing retailer in Greater London is seeking an Assistant Buyer to work closely with retail and partnerships to manage product ranges. This role involves analyzing competitor activities, supporting marketing efforts, and ensuring stock aligns with the brand strategy. Ideal candidates should be detail-oriented, with strong communication skills and experience in retail buying. A competitive salary, generous clothing allowance, and additional benefits are included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Targeted annual bonus scheme

Generous clothing allowance

30% discount on clothing

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Online discounts on retail & entertainment

Virtual GP service

Free onsite parking

Subsidized café

Qualifications

• Experience as a Buying Assistant or in a similar role.
• Passionate about Buying and Partnership management.
• Creative with a keen eye for detail.
• Retail buying experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze competitor prices and activities.
• Work closely with marketing to understand retail trends.
• Support with delivering a balanced range with partners.
• Assist with stock management to ensure branding.
• Help implement department strategy for the season.
• Present ranges to senior management for approval.
• Manage partner product requirements and relationships.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to multitask

Excel proficiency

Job description

Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. Without the collaboration, honesty and friendship between our teams, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We curate a world of beauty that’s ethical, inclusive – and importantly – good fun. We inspire you to live your best life. We are Boden.

Overview

This Assistant Buyer position is integral to understanding our brand and our customer in all our trading regions specifically retail stores and UK partnerships. They will also take responsibility, under the supervision of the Junior Buyer, for buying and trading retail and partnerships channels.

Location : 3-4 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest WFH.

What You Will Do

To regularly monitor and analyse competitor’s prices and activities.

To be constantly and proactively aware of market and seasonal trends.

To work closely with our internal marketing and merchandising to understand retail customer trends and moments.

To support with delivering a balanced range with all of our partners considering all attributes and Big Ideas.

Use knowledge of physical retail spaces and fixtures to create ranges that are commercial, visually exciting and offer outfitting.

To help implement department strategy for the season.

To work with buying and merchandising to understand and assist with stock in and out ensuring the store / partnership remains on brand.

Work with Merchandising and the Junior Buyer to define category planning and mixes by channel; taking into account Boden product strategy, sales history and Partner trends.

Work with senior management to arrange VM meetings and present ranges in stories to inform VM packs and floor plans ensuring they have a clear message.

Managing partner product requirements and working with development teams to ensure needs are met.

Building & maintaining partner relationships with key stakeholders.

Present and sign off ranges with Head of Partnerships and Head of Merchandising.

Work with Merch team to understand any late deliveries or AQL highlighting where this may issues to store packages / partners.

Understands both the partnerships and product critical path, and keeps team up to date on key moments in weekly meetings.

Ensures the critical path is updated and highlights issues.

Ensure PLM is accurately updated in systems by allocation deadline post internal meetings changes and submit to allocators.

To work with the BAA to ensure product files are sent to external partners on time and accurately to enable product to launch on time.

To understand and present weekly and seasonal sales and suggest appropriate action to maximise sales and profit in all channels.

Work with merchandising to analyse weekly sales and from this define and implement trading actions across all channels.

To work with Merchandising to deliver seasonal strategy packs by drop for all relevant channels.

Drive sales by agreeing trading actions based on competitor analysis.

To ensure all necessary documents and systems are completed accurately and ahead of time to ensure smooth delivery and trading of product ranges across all channels.

To manage and develop the BAA and keep them performing well and motivated by giving regular feedback.

Conduct performance reviews for BAA and set smart objectives within PDP.

Continuing to manage the day to day workload of the BAA.

Building and maintaining relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

What We Are Looking For

Already at experienced BAA level or currently at AB level looking for a change.

Passionate about a career in Buying and Partnership management.

Be creative and have a keen eye for detail.

Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

Experience of being part of a team.

Some retail buying experience.

Be organised, adaptable and enjoy a challenge.

Clear communication skills.

Good problem-solving skills.

Great time management.

Ability to multitask.

Ability to work independently.

What We Offer

Competitive salary & targeted annual bonus scheme.

Generous Boden clothing allowance!

30% discount on all current clothing ranges.

25 days Holiday annually, plus Bank Holidays.

Online Portal with an array of discounts on retail & entertainment.

Virtual GP Service for you and your household!

Free onsite parking and subsidised café.