Buying Assistant

Harrods; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury department store in the UK is seeking a motivated Buying Assistant to support the Bags and Accessories category. This role involves maintaining delivery schedules, coordinating training, and supporting the Buyer and Assistant Buyer through a hybrid work model. Ideal candidates will have a passion for retail, organizational skills, and the ability to build strong relationships with vendors. Join us in creating remarkable shopping experiences while contributing to a dynamic team.

Benefits

Friendly work environment

Opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Ability to build strong relationships across teams and with external vendors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate delivery schedules and manage samples.
• Provide comprehensive support to Buyer and Assistant Buyer.
• Coordinate training sessions and manage rebranding efforts.
• Produce weekly sales reports and best-seller lists.
• Work closely with QA Manager to ensure product quality.

Skills

Passion for retail and product development

Experience with critical path management

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Strong communication skills

Job description

This role plays a crucial role in the development of our product range and the execution of our departmental strategy. Your attention to detail and proactive approach will ensure smooth operations across all facets of the buying process. From maintaining delivery schedules to fostering relationships with vendors, you'll be pivotal in supporting the Buyer and Assistant Buyer.

Responsibilities

• Product Management – maintain accurate delivery schedules, manage samples, and ensure new launches and deliveries are communicated to key stakeholders.
• Administrative Support – provide comprehensive support to the Buyer and Assistant Buyer, including article and vendor setup, creating reports, and keeping the office organized.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – act as a liaison between the buying office, shop floor, visual merchandising, and quality assurance teams, ensuring seamless communication and coordination.
• Analysis and Reporting – produce weekly sales reports and best-seller lists to inform trade meetings.
• Quality Assurance – work closely with the QA Manager to ensure products meet our high standards and address any issues promptly.
• Product Promotion – coordinate training sessions, manage rebranding efforts, and support the launch of new collections to boost brand awareness.

Depending on your role, you may be fully on-site or have a mix of on-site and home working – this is what we refer to as “Hybrid.” Our hybrid working policy allows colleagues to work from home for part of the week, with a minimum of three days on-site, depending on business needs.

Please see our Hybrid@Harrods policy on our Career Site for more information, or speak to a member of our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions regarding the requirements for this role.

Our Harrods Own Label team, which is at the heart of delivering bespoke, high-quality products to our customers, is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Buying Assistant to join our dynamic team and support our Bags and Accessories category. You will be a highly organised and proactive individual with exceptional planning skills and the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently. You'll also have a proactive mindset to excel in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications & Skills

• Passion for retail and product development.
• Experience working with critical path management (preferred).
• A keen eye for detail.
• Ability to build strong relationships across teams and with external vendors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we are becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought‑after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world's most inspiring shopping experiences.

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.

Whilst our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you can demonstrate the majority of skills and strong experience to thrive in this role, we would encourage you to apply.

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

If you want to know more about life at Harrods, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods.