Junior Buyer Womens Own Brand Dresses and Soft Wovens

John Lewis Partnership; London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer in London seeks a Junior Buyer for the Women's Own Brand team. The role involves developing appealing product ranges for dresses and soft wovens, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Candidates should have at least 12 months of buying experience and a passion for product development and fashion trends. This position offers a hybrid working model and competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months buying experience in women's own brand on dresses and/or soft wovens.
• Experience managing team relationships across various commercial terms.
• Positive approach to continuous development.

Responsibilities

• Analyze market data to develop a product assortment.
• Collaborate with various teams to deliver product presentations.
• Monitor customer satisfaction metrics and drive sales revenue growth.

Skills

Buying experience

Product development

Supplier negotiation

Market trend analysis

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Job description

Overview

Opportunity to join the Women's Own Brand team as a Junior Buyer to deliver elevated, relevant and modern product ranges to delight and excite our customers within the dresses and soft woven categories. Unique - product development, react with pace to changes in customer trends and market conditions, driving sales and profitability for the Partnership, building relationships with key stakeholders (within team and the wider supply chain), attention to detail, experience within own brand product development.

If you join us from 5th October, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at £4.50 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

• Full Partnership Salary Range - £32,600 - £50,500 per annum
• Expected Salary - up to £45,000 (depending on experience)
• Contract type - Permanent
• Working pattern/flexible working - Hybrid working (office and home-based)
• Location - London Central Office in Pimlico; minimum 3 days per week in the office
• FYI Next Steps - Assessments will take place from Wednesday 8th October

Key responsibilities

• With your Merchandiser, analyze commercial input and market data to develop a category assortment that appeals to the John Lewis & Partners customer base.
• Monitor Partner NPS and customer satisfaction metrics to gauge impact of assortment decisions, driving sales revenue growth through effective assortment planning and promotional strategies.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Online and Store Design to deliver a compelling brand portfolio.
• Make decisions on product assortment: development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins in line with category and customer strategy.
• Present product categories to Buying Manager, Merch Manager, Design Cat Lead and the Fashion leadership team.
• In collaboration with merchandising, participate in season trading and volume decisions, commercial terms and product lifecycle with suppliers.
• Work with the Technologist on your category to focus on innovation, fit and quality to deliver the right product for customers.

Essential skills/experience

• Tangible experience in buying, product development, range building, supplier negotiation and critical path.
• Experience managing team relationships across various commercial terms with a collaborative approach.
• A positive approach to continuous development of yourself and other partners within the team.
• Minimum 12 months buying experience in women's own brand on dresses and/or soft wovens.
• Passion for product development, fashion and trends.
• Solution-oriented with ability to solve problems and react quickly.

Desirable skills/experience

• Great communication skills.
• Strong negotiation skills to drive sales, profit and on-time launch.
• Product-focused to deliver newness and exciting ranges for customers.
• Customer-centric and able to react to changes in trade and market conditions at pace to maximise sales.

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Closing Date: September 24, 2025

Pay: £32,600.00 - £50,500.00 Annual

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours of Work: 35 hours

Job Level: Partnership Level 8

Where You'll Be Working: London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note:

Some roles may require pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during recruitment. Any DBS checks will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may be required for some roles. Apply soon as vacancies can close early if there are many applicants. We support flexible working where possible; discuss this with the hiring manager during your interview.