Buying Assistant

Danielle Ward Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Danielle Ward Recruitment is partnering with a dynamic fashion company to recruit a Buying Assistant. The role offers hands-on exposure across buying, product development and customer relationships.

Working with the buying and design teams, you will provide day-to-day administrative support while growing involvement in sourcing, sample management and range development for commercial, trend-led lines.

Qualifications

• Interest in fashion, buying and product development.
• Experience in fashion administration, buying or product-related role is advantageous.
• Highly organised with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Confident communicator with a professional, personable approach.
• Proactive and hands-on, willing to support wider team.
• Good computer skills, especially MS Office, and ability to learn new systems.
• Interest in fashion trends, products, and the retail market.

Responsibilities

• Support buyers with seasonal briefs, product requirements and range development.
• Conduct trend and competitor research to identify new product opportunities.
• Assist with sourcing products, fabrics, trims, and coordinating samples from development to approval.
• Prepare samples for customer meetings and communicate feedback to design and development teams.
• Liaise with suppliers, factories and internal departments to track samples, deadlines and issues.
• Assist with order administration, product information, costings and maintaining records.
• Support buying team with meeting prep, sample organisation and admin tasks.
• Build relationships across buying, design, technical, sales and production.

Skills

Fashion interest

Buying

Product development

Organisation

Communication

Proactive

MS Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are working on behalf of a successful and growing fashion company who are looking for a Buying Assistant to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and enthusiastic individual to develop their career within fashion, gaining hands‑on experience across buying, product development and customer relationships.

Working closely with the buying and design teams, the successful candidate will provide day‑to‑day administrative support while becoming increasingly involved in sourcing, sample management and the development of commercial, trend‑led ranges.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting buyers with seasonal briefs, product requirements and range development.
• Conducting trend and competitor research to identify new product opportunities.
• Assisting with sourcing products, fabrics, and trims, and coordinating samples from initial development through to approval.
• Preparing samples for customer meetings, taking detailed notes, and communicating feedback clearly to the design and product development teams.
• Liaising with suppliers, factories, and internal departments to track samples, monitor deadlines and help resolve any issues.
• Assisting with order administration, product information, costings and maintaining accurate records.
• Supporting the buying team with meeting preparation, sample organisation and general administrative tasks.
• Building relationships across buying, design, technical, sales and production, providing wider team support where required.
• Attending customer meetings, supplier visits and trade fairs where required.

Skills & Experience

• A genuine interest in fashion, buying and product development.
• Previous experience in a fashion administration, buying or product-related role would be advantageous.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Confident communicator with a professional, personable approach and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Proactive and hands‑on, with a willingness to get involved and support the wider team.
• Good computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office, and confidence learning new systems.
• An interest in fashion trends, products, and the commercial retail market.

Additional Information

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to build their career within the fashion industry. The role offers a balance of administrative responsibility and hands‑on buying experience, with the opportunity to develop product knowledge, commercial awareness and supplier relationships, while progressing towards an Assistant Buyer position.