Assistant Category Manager/Assistant Buyer

Box Recruitment Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Earlier finish on Friday

Extra holidays

Free parking

Career progression

Job summary

Box Recruitment Group is seeking an ambitious Buying Administrator ready to step into an Assistant Buyer role within the soft textiles/homeware sector. You will support end-to-end product development, coordinate samples, and manage critical paths from brief to launch.

Working closely with the buying team, you will liaise with suppliers, ensure data accuracy, and help develop ranges for customers and distributors. A strong interest in progression into a Category Manager role is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience in Buying Administrator, Buying Assistant or similar product-focused role within soft textiles/bedding or other homeware categories (essential)
• Licensed products background is ideal
• Keen to progress into Assistant Buyer or Assistant Category Manager
• Strong knowledge of critical paths, product development and supplier coordination
• Sample management experience

Responsibilities

• Managing critical paths from initial product brief through to final launch.
• Coordinating samples, approvals, comments and product amendments.
• Liaising with suppliers and factories to ensure product development remains on track.
• Coordinating artwork, product specifications and sample requests.
• Maintaining accurate product data and ensuring systems are kept up to date.
• Supporting product set-up and launch readiness activities.
• Assisting with the development of customer-exclusive and distributor ranges.
• Identifying and escalating potential risks, delays or development issues where required.
• Working closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure the smooth running of the product development process across a broad portfolio of bedding ranges.

Skills

Buying administration

Product development

Supplier coordination

Critical path management

Sample management

Job description

Assistant Buyer / Assistant Category Manager

Ready for the next step in your buying career?

An award-winning supplier of licensed home textiles, bedding and homewares is looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Buying Administrator who is ready to take the next step in their career and develop towards an Assistant Buyer / Assistant Category Manager position. They supply some of the most well-known retailers, supermarkets and through marketplaces.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has already gained experience within a buying or product development environment and is keen to broaden their commercial knowledge, take on greater responsibility and become more involved in the end-to-end product development process.

Working closely with the wider buying team, you will play an important role in managing the critical path and coordinating product development from initial brief through to launch, supporting an exciting and varied portfolio of bedding ranges.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing critical paths from initial product brief through to final launch.
• Coordinating samples, approvals, comments and product amendments.
• Liaising with suppliers and factories to ensure product development remains on track.
• Coordinating artwork, product specifications and sample requests.
• Maintaining accurate product data and ensuring systems are kept up to date.
• Supporting product set-up and launch readiness activities.
• Assisting with the development of customer-exclusive and distributor ranges.
• Identifying and escalating potential risks, delays or development issues where required.
• Working closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure the smooth running of the product development process across a broad portfolio of bedding ranges.

What we're looking for:

• Previous experience in a Buying Administrator, Buying Assistant or similar product-focused role within soft textiles/bedding or other homeware categories (essential)
• Licensed products background is ideal
• Someone keen to progress their career into an Assistant Buyer or Assistant Category Manager position.
• A strong knowledge of critical paths, product development and supplier coordination.
• Sample management experience

What s on offer:

• Hybrid working (3 days in the office) 2 at home
• Earlier finish on a Friday with flexible office-based hours
• Extra holidays
• Free parking
• Lots of career progression

If you're currently working in Buying Administration and feel ready for more responsibility, greater involvement in product development and a clear opportunity to progress, we'd love to hear from you! INDD