Assistant Buyer - Womenswear (Level 2)

New Look; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent fashion retailer in the UK is looking for an Assistant Buyer to center customer requirements in product offerings. The successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, support product development, and ensure timely order management. Ideal for someone with experience in womenswear and strong skills in communication and analysis. New Look offers extensive training and competitive benefits, including staff discounts and a flexible working pattern.

Benefits

40% staff discount

Monthly 25% off vouchers

Season ticket loans

Private pension scheme

Virtual GP access

Qualifications

• Experience as an Assistant Buyer within clothing is preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
• Strong fashion sense and understanding of market trends.

Responsibilities

• Support development and delivery of profitable ranges.
• Manage Supplier relationships and KPI monitoring.
• Oversee the Critical Path and order management processes.

Skills

Womenswear experience

Customer knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Job description

The Team

Buying is the department that brings together creative inspiration & commercial planning to deliver the best ranges for our customer. Product is at the heart of everything we do, from developing the best prints for dresses, the must have coat of the season or the ‘It’ bag. Always thinking ‘customer first’ we work hard with our suppliers in the UK & across the world to deliver fashion at amazing prices & as quickly as possible. Buying is fast paced and exciting & every day is unique.

The Role

The role of the Assistant Buyer is to put the customer requirements at the centre of the product offer, to support the development and delivery of a commercial and profitable range that maximises sales opportunity. Responsible for ensuring the Critical Path is achieved and that order management and sampling processes run to schedule. Deputises in the absence of the Buyer / Junior Buyer.

Planning :

• Sound understanding of the Business Strategy and how that impacts your Department
• Applying knowledge of the current competitive market place and trends, and inputting into the direction of the department
• Solid understanding of the Department’s current Customer insights, Market Share and opportunities
• Working in conjunction with Marketing and Ecommerce, supporting with Windows and Photo Shoots
• Assisting in Department Strategy Planning preparation

Buying :

• Assist the Product Development process from Design brief to launch, liaising with Design, Marketing and other relevant departments
• Negotiating the best cost price to achieve departmental margin targets
• Understanding product trends and interpreting them where relevant into product area
• Ensuring input to the Assortment Planning tool and other data / system management, in a timely manner
• Understanding the appropriate sourcing route and Supplier for Product
• Monitoring Critical Path on Commitment to insure intake and distribution targets are met
• Attending Fit sessions in the Buyers absence give styling Comments

Suppliers :

• Managing Supplier relationships and KPI’s, including monitoring sampling requirements in line with projected levels of business
• Negotiating and liaising with Suppliers

Trading :

• Understanding of reports and actions that may need to be taken on Trade
• Managing the critical path, making adaptations (where required) to react to market changes and challenges
• Sharing of information where possible on Product, Suppliers, Best / Worst Sellers within the business area

Team :

• Supporting with the development of fellow colleagues, delivering relevant training and support where required
• Collaboratively working with Merchandising, Design and Technical colleagues
• Acting as a positive role model for the Team and peers

About You

• Womenswear experience preferred
• Customer knowledge and a strong fashion eye
• Good interpersonal / communication skills
• Ability to support, train and develop the Buying Admin Assistant
• Ability to initiate, build and maintain relationships with Design, Merchandising, QA and Suppliers
• Solid presentation skills
• Risk assessment and SWOT analysis skills
• Numerical and analytical skills
• Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer within clothing is preferred

Why New Look?

The amazing people, the fashion – there are so many reasons to love working at New Look. We prioritise development, offering training to support your progression, so you can be your absolute best and achieve your goals. You’ll also receive these amazing benefits, to name only a few :

• 40% staff discount
• Monthly 25% off privilege vouchers for family and friends to enjoy
• Season ticket loans
• Pension - A contributory private pension scheme
• Virtual GP access

Apply now to find out more!

We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer. Although this is a full-time role, our colleagues work a range of patterns. If you have a specific pattern in mind, we're keen to discuss this with you in line with the output needed for the role.