Buying Assistant - Core Gardening

B&Q Limited; Eastleigh; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

BUPA

ShareSave

6.6 weeks holiday

Hybrid Working (3 days in the office)

Job summary

B&Q Limited in Southampton is seeking a Buying Assistant to support vendor management and product data execution from a Store Support Office perspective. This permanent role sits within a hybrid model, combining three days in the office with remote collaboration.

The position offers up to £32,000 per year plus pension, BUPA and ShareSave, as well as 6.6 weeks of holiday and access to colleague discounts. You will help manage data, pricing changes and vendor relationships, contributing to overall

Qualifications

• Strong administrative and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive and flexible approach with initiative-taking.
• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Handle day-to-day vendor queries, ensuring adherence to B&Q processes and policies.
• Collect accurate vendor data promptly and address risks and issues proactively.
• Analyse vendor performance data, including turnover information.
• Assist in delivering vendor strategies, organising meetings and visits.
• Manage contracts, cost prices and approval processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and reporting related to vendor contributions.
• Secure accurate customer-facing data and content across channels.
• Manage product data setup, progression and archiving.
• Coordinate replacement links and category sampling for QA.
• Execute promotions and price changes as directed by Buyer and Assistant Buyer.
• Collaborate with Strategic Pricing for product/price comparisons.
• Maintain buying tracker updates and communicate with stakeholders.
• Utilise customer and market insights for presentations and actions.
• Work with merchandising on range reviews and promotions.
• Provide general administration support to the buying team.

Skills

Administrative skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Proactive mindset

Analytical mindset

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Buying Assistant

Permanent

Up to £32,000pa + Pension + BUPA +ShareSave+ 6.6 weeks holiday+ Hybrid Working (3 days per week in the office)

Southampton, Store Support Office

We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they'll love. Join us as a Buying Assistant and you'll be a big part of this.

What's the job?

Vendor Management:

• Handle day-to-day vendor queries, ensuring adherence to B&Q processes and policies.
• Collect accurate vendor data promptly and proactively address risks and issues.
• Analyze key vendor performance data, including turnover information.
• Assist in delivering vendor strategies, organizing meetings, and visits.
• Manage contracts, cost prices, and approval processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and reporting related to vendor contributions.

Product Data and Execution:

• Secure accurate customer-facing data and content across channels.
• Manage product data setup, progression, and archiving.
• Coordinate replacement link execution and category sampling for quality assurance.
• Execute promotions and price changes as directed by the Buyer and Assistant Buyer.
• Collaborate with the Strategic Pricing team for product/price comparisons.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Maintain buying tracker updates and communicate regularly with stakeholders.
• Utilize customer and market insights for presentations and business actions.
• Work alongside merchandising on projects, including range reviews and promotions.
• Provide general administration support to the buying team.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and develop within the commercial function.

What we need:

• Strong administrative and organizational skills, including prioritization abilities.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive and flexible approach, with initiative-taking abilities.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.

What's in it for me?

What's In It For You?

At B&Q, we're building more than great homes – we're building great careers.

When you join us, you'll be part of a supportive, inclusive business where your ideas matter, your development is invested in, and your wellbeing is genuinely important.

Here's what you can expect:

Flexible & Hybrid Working - Work in a way that helps you perform at your best, balancing business needs with personal commitments.

Career Growth & Development - Access learning, development and career opportunities across one of the UK's leading retail organisations.

Competitive Reward Package - A competitive salary, pension and a range of financial benefits.

Colleague Discounts - Enjoy discounts across B&Q and the wider Kingfisher Group.

Health & Wellbeing Support - Access wellbeing resources, health support and employee assistance programmes designed to help you thrive.

Time Away From Work - Generous holiday entitlement and family-friendly policies that support life both inside and outside work.

A Place Where You Belong - We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to be themselves.

Make a Difference - The work you do will have a direct impact on our customers, colleagues and business.

Eligibility To Work

Please note that B&Q does not currently offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Accessibility & Disability Confident

At B&Q, we're committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience for everyone.

If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to help you complete your application or throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

If you would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please contact us at [e-mail]. If you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we'll consider your application in line with our Disability Confident commitments.