Buying Admin Assistant - Footwear - 12 months FTC

N Brown Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

24 days holiday

Enhanced maternity and adoption leave

Company pension with up to 8% N Brown

Mental Health support

Financial wellbeing support

Stream financial wellbeing tool

Colleague discount

Onsite café

Life Assurance

Paid volunteer time

Job summary

N Brown is seeking a Buying Admin Assistant for its Womenswear Branded team in Manchester. You will support a fast-paced buying function, handling product set-up, supplier communication and day-to-day administration across the buying cycle.

Join a collaborative team focused on delivering commercially successful products. The role requires strong organisation, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to support Buyers, Merchandisers and cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• The ability to work on your own initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong team ethos with collaborative relationships and confident supplier communication.
• Balanced ability to work in a team while handling individual tasks.
• Highly organised with excellent time management.
• Proficient in PC and Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A passion for clothing.
• Relevant degree in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain critical path and communicate with suppliers to meet key deadlines and flag risks.
• Hold regular CP calls to build supplier relationships.
• Set up new styles in internal systems.
• Provide administrative support to the Assistant Buyer and wider team.
• Manage samples for shoots and trials.
• Conduct online comparative shopping to stay aware of market trends.
• Assist team meetings and monthly reviews/preparations.
• Prepare for fit sessions and ad-hoc tasks.

Skills

Initiative

Team ethos

Team collaboration

Highly organised

PC & Excel

Attention to detail

Passion for clothing

Related degree preferred

Education

University degree in related field

Job description

N Brown - who we are and why work for us?

N Brown is a leading UK digital retail platform for clothing, footwear, home and technology, headquartered in Manchester and employing over 1,000 people nationwide. Through our strategic retail brands JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be and our unique payments offering, we exist to champion inclusivity and serve the underserved. Our customers are our passion, and we take great pride in delivering products that ensure they can look and feel amazing, without compromising on choice, value and accessibility.

We're committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by 'By championing inclusion, N Brown will become the UK's most loved and trusted consumer platform, shaping the future of financial empowerment and personal expression'. 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we're so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation to work on-site at our Head Office in Manchester's Northern Quarter 3 days per week.

The Role

We are looking for a Buying Admin Assistant to join our Womenswear Branded team. You will work within a fast-paced and collaborative buying function, supporting the team to deliver a commercially successful and customer-focused product offering. This role is integral to the smooth day-to-day running of the department, providing administrative and operational support across the buying cycle.

As part of the Womenswear team, you will assist with product set-up, sample management, supplier communication, reporting, and critical path administration, ensuring information is accurate and up to date. Working closely with Buyers, Merchandisers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams, you will help maintain efficient processes and support the delivery of products that meet customer needs and business objectives. Strong organisation, attention to detail, and a proactive approach are essential to success in this role.

What will you do as a Buying Admin Assistant at N Brown?

• Maintaining critical path, communicating with suppliers regularly to ensure that key deadlines are met and any risks to deliveries are highlighted in advance and shared with wider team.
• Regular CP calls to help build supplier relationships.
• Setting up new styles in our internal systems
• Provide administrative support to the Assistant buyer and the wider team
• Sample management: organising and preparing samples for shoots
• Carrying out online comparative shopping to develop and maintain knowledge of the current marketplace.
• Assisting team meetings- helping prepare for monthly reviews and sign offs
• Prepping for fit sessions
• Additional ad-hoc tasks

What skills and experience will you have?

• The ability to work on your own initiative and in a fast-paced environment
• A strong team ethos - working collaboratively, building excellent relationships and communicating confidently to both peers and suppliers
• The ability to work well in a team but with the ability to strive in individual tasks
• Highly organised with excellent time keeping skills
• PC and Excel literate
• Exceptional attention to detail
• A passion for clothing
• Relevant experience or university degree in related field preferred.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid working (3 days in the office at a minimum)
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance
• Paid volunteer time - all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you're in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we're perfectly located, plus we're surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our working hours are 36.17 per week over 5 days.

We believe AI will become a standard part of modern professional practice. We are therefore looking for individuals who are open to learning, testing, and responsibly adopting AI tools to improve efficiency, insight, and impact in their role.

Our promise to you:

We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. 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.

Please know your application is being reviewed by a real human being. We value your interest in joining us and appreciate you taking the time to submit your application.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we'll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!