Buying Admin Assistant

Whittard of Chelsea; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company specializing in tea and coffee is seeking a Buying Admin Assistant to support their Buying Team in a hybrid role based in Abingdon. The position involves managing administration processes, coordinating samples, and assisting with product launches while ensuring detail-oriented accuracy in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should be organized, proactive, and possess strong Microsoft Office skills. Benefits include generous holiday allowances and monthly product allowances.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance + your birthday off

Monthly product allowance

Up to 50% store discount

Wellbeing support & family-friendly policies

Pension scheme & development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experienced in administration and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills.
• Proactive team player with experience working cross-functionally.

Responsibilities

• Manage administration processes for the buying team.
• Coordinate sample management from request to preparation.
• Support new product development and communication with stakeholders.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Problem-solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Department – Buying Are you highly organised, detail-driven, and excited to play a key role in bringing beautiful products to life? At Whittard of Chelsea, we’ve been curating the finest teas, coffees and hot chocolates since 1886—always with a flair for discovery and a passion for quality. Now, we’re looking for a Buying Admin Assistant to support our Buying Team in delivering exceptional product ranges that delight customers across the globe. About the Role… This is your opportunity to become the backbone of our Buying function—supporting product launches, sample management, and critical buying processes from start to finish. You’ll help ensure every detail is captured and every deadline is met, working closely with suppliers, internal teams, and key stakeholders across the business. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment, where your passion for organisation, accuracy, and teamwork will help shape the products we’re famous for. From inputting product information and managing samples to supporting tastings and campaign shoots, you’ll be at the heart of bringing new ideas to life. This is a hybrid working role, based in our Abingdon Head Office (OX14 4SH), with a minimum of 3 days a week in the office.

• Keep Us Organised: Manage the full administration process for the buying team—including product set-up, pricing updates, range plans, and data accuracy.
• Champion Samples: Coordinate all aspects of sample management—from requesting and labelling gold seals and pre-production samples, to preparing displays for tastings, studio shoots, and internal reviews.
• Support Launches: Help track and deliver new product development by supporting critical path management, packaging approvals, and stakeholder communications.
• Be a Connector: Liaise with suppliers, warehouses, customer services and internal teams to ensure smooth handovers, problem-solving, and clear, proactive communication.
• Collaborate & Contribute: Assist the team at peak times and special events such as Store Conferences—where teamwork and flexibility are key.
  
  

About You

You will be…

• Highly organised, methodical, and great at juggling multiple priorities
• Commercially aware and detail-focused with a natural curiosity for products and trends
• A proactive team player who communicates clearly and works collaboratively
• Calm under pressure, responsive to change, and confident managing timelines and deadlines
  
  

Experience you’ll have…

• Strong admin and Microsoft Office skills (especially Excel)
• Excellent attention to detail, time management, and task ownership
• Experience working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders
• An interest in the food and beverage sector, and a passion for product
  
  

At Whittard, we celebrate curiosity, creativity, and continuous growth. Whether you're supporting a product tasting or organising the next campaign sample drop, your work will help bring extraordinary products to our customers. You’ll also enjoy:

• Generous holiday allowance + your birthday off
• Monthly product allowance – discover new favourites each month
• Up to 50% store discount on our remarkable range
• Wellbeing support & family-friendly policies
• Pension scheme & development opportunities
  
  

…and so much more!