Buying Assistant

Screwfix; Yeovil; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

28 days holiday

Pension contributions (up to 14%)

Life cover

Health cash plan

Employee discounts (Screwfix & B&Q)

Wagestream earnings access

Job summary

Screwfix is hiring a Buying Assistant to join our busy commercial team in a fast-paced retail environment. You’ll support range reviews, promotional planning, pricing and supplier activity, gaining hands-on experience with data and Excel to drive smart commercial decisions.

You’ll work with Category and Trading Managers, coordinate schedules, resolve data queries and help keep key deadlines on track, while developing broad buying experience and progressing your career in retail.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, retail experience is a big plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Sharp eye for detail—confident spotting errors and challenging inconsistencies.
• Analytical thinking—interpret data and turn it into smart decisions.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels of the business.
• Commercial awareness and a natural flair for trends and products.

Responsibilities

• Supporting range reviews and promotional campaigns from planning to execution.
• Coordinating commercial schedules and ensuring key deadlines are met.
• Managing supplier onboarding and keeping supplier data accurate.
• Resolving product queries, price changes, and data errors quickly and professionally.
• Keeping tabs on competitor activity to stay ahead.
• Maintaining the Product Centre — managing samples with care and precision.
• Keeping your manager informed on progress, priorities, and roadblocks.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Experience in fast-paced environments

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Build Your Buying Career as a Buying Assistant

If you’re commercially minded, love working with products and data, and want to build your career in Buying, this could be a brilliant next step.

As a Buying Assistant, you’ll be right at the heart of our commercial team, working alongside experienced Category and Trading Managers and gaining hands‑on exposure to the fast-moving world of retail Buying.

You’ll get involved in everything from range reviews and promotional planning to pricing and supplier activity, giving you a great opportunity to understand how commercial decisions are made and how successful categories are brought to life.

No two days will be quite the same. You could be helping to coordinate a new promotion, analysing product and pricing information, working with suppliers, resolving queries or making sure key commercial deadlines stay on track.

We’re looking for someone who is organised, curious and confident with data, with strong Excel skills and great attention to detail. You’ll enjoy solving problems, juggling priorities and working with different people to get things done.

If you already have some experience within retail, Buying, Merchandising or a commercial environment and you’re looking for a role where you can learn, develop and take on more responsibility, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain broad commercial experience and develop your Buying career within a growing retail business.

What’s in it for you?

• 28 days' holiday (including bank holidays, 5 of which can be taken flexibly) increasing with service up to a maximum of 33 days
• Hybrid working with up to 2 days working from home
• Flexible start and end times around core working hours
• Buy More Holiday - eligible colleagues can boost their holiday allowance by up to one extra week
• Up to 14% employer pension contributions
• Life cover up to 4x your salary
• Health cash plan and discounted gym memberships (up to 25% savings)
• 20% discount at Screwfix and B&Q

Key responsibilities

• Supporting range reviews and promotional campaigns from planning to execution
• Coordinating commercial schedules and ensuring key deadlines are always met
• Managing supplier onboarding and keeping supplier data accurate and up to date
• Resolving product queries, price changes, and data errors quickly and professionally
• Keeping tabs on competitor activity to help us stay ahead of the game
• Maintaining the Product Centre — managing samples with care and precision
• Keeping your manager informed on progress, priorities, and any roadblocks

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment (retail experience is a big plus!)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• A sharp eye for detail — you’re confident spotting errors and challenging inconsistencies
• Analytical thinking — you can interpret data and turn it into smart decisions
• Excellent communication skills across all levels of the business
• Commercial awareness and a natural flair for trends and products

At Screwfix, Your Wellbeing Comes First:

Financial wellbeing

• Wagestream access to track earnings and save
• Access to the Kingfisher Share Scheme
• Colleague support fund
• Exclusive offers and discounts via our Hapi app
• Cycle-to-work scheme and savings on bikes

Every day benefits

• Career progression and development programmes
• Coaching and mentoring to help you thrive
• Access to wellbeing resourcing including PepTalk
• Support networks available

Recruitment Process

We review applications on an individual basis, and if we feel you would be a good fit we’ll invite you for a call or Teams video for an informal chat about the role, and to see if we’re a good fit for you. From there you can expect a comprehensive process, with regular contact from the Talent Acquisition team who are always available, for any queries you may have.

We value open and honest conversations and collaboration, giving you a chance to learn about what we are doing in an informal and friendly environment. We want to know about you and why you feel that this is the opportunity that excites you.

Sustainability at Screwfix

We’re committed to building a better future for our community and our planet. That’s why we’re doing everything we can in six key areas: eliminating carbon emissions, reducing and recycling waste, sourcing responsibly, keeping products in use for longer, selling more sustainable products and providing sustainable packaging. We’re on a mission to put sustainability at the forefront of everything we do. Join us.

We’ve worked hard to create a culture of inclusivity and genuine community. We’re a company built on teamwork, and the best teams are ones in which everyone can share their view. Whatever your background, however you identify, you’ll be listened to, encouraged, and given the tools and training you need to get ahead. You’ll always know where you are with us. We’re open. We’re fair. And we believe in opportunities for everyone.