Graduate Buying Assistant

Ultra LEDs; Manchester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra LEDs in Manchester is seeking a graduate to start a career in buying. You will gain exposure to all aspects of buying, with some merchandising, building a well-rounded foundation for a product-focused career. This is an on-site, fully office-based role.

You'll assist from initial brief through to product launch, track supplier assessments, gather data, and support website listings. No prior buying experience needed; placement year is preferred but not essential.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate with a relevant degree; placement year preferred but not essential.
• Strong interest in product & trade and a hunger to learn.
• Interest in buying with exposure to merchandising and product data.
• Excellent data accuracy and ability to handle multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the end-to-end buying process from brief to product launch.
• Track supplier assessments and approvals to keep timelines.
• Gather product data from suppliers and maintain data in internal systems.
• Support order management and preparation of assets for suppliers.
• Help build product knowledge and support merchandising activities.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Organised

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

This is a graduate role for someone fresh out of university who wants to start a career in buying. No prior buying experience is needed - a placement year is preferable, but what matters most is that you're product-obsessed and eager to learn. You'll get exposure to all areas of buying, with some merchandising too, building a well-rounded foundation for a product-focused career. This is an on-site, fully office-based role.

What you’ll do…

• Help manage the critical path from initial brief through to product launch, flagging updates and risks in weekly meetings.
• Track technical assessments and approvals, liaising with suppliers to keep everything on time.
• Liaise with suppliers to gather product data & other required information.
• Support the smooth running of orders from product set up, on-time order placement, submission of order assets to suppliers & reviewing inspection reports.
• Coordinate and track product samples throughout the process.
• Keep all relevant product information up to date across our internal systems.
• Support the Buyer in creating accurate, market-leading website listings.
• Complete regular benchmarking exercises to support the buying range building process.
• Build a understanding of product performance.
• Provide support to the merchandising team.
• Build your product knowledge and be a general support across the buying & merchandising team - turning your hand to a range of tasks to build a strong foundation for progression.

What we’re looking for…

• A recent graduate with a relevant degree - a placement year is preferable, but not essential.
• Someone with a genuine passion for product & trade and a hunger to learn.
• Keen to understand the wider business environment, across all areas of buying with some exposure to merchandising too.
• Great attention to detail, with a \"right first time\" approach to data and admin.
• Comfortable with Excel and confident picking up new systems.
• Organised, able to prioritise and juggle multiple tasks, and a clear communicator.
• Confident, enthusiastic and resilient - bringing energy and determination even when faced with setbacks.