Senior Assistant Buyer - Fragrance

THE WHITE COMPANY; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an Assistant Buyer to support product development and supplier management. This role involves collaborating with design teams, conducting market analysis, and managing junior team members. The ideal candidate will have extensive buying experience and strong communication skills, contributing to innovative product strategies and ensuring quality standards are met. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Up to 50% discount

Holiday entitlement starting at 23 days

Group Personal Pension scheme

Discretionary bonus scheme

Structured development support

Life Assurance

Flexible working

Social events

Volunteer days

Qualifications

• Extensive Head Office Buying experience at Assistant Buyer level.
• Experience presenting to senior management in trade and range planning meetings.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Buyer in building a balanced product range.
• Manage complex critical paths ensuring key dates are met.
• Conduct store and competitor assessments for trading recommendations.

Skills

Buying experience

Market awareness

Communication

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Our Role

To assist the Buyer in ensuring sales and profit targets are met through developing a balanced, innovative product range aligned with Brand objectives. Demonstrate market awareness and innovation, especially with increased responsibility in specific categories. Manage and develop junior team members as appropriate.

What you'll be doing

Product Development

1. Assist the Buyer in building a customer-focused, balanced product range, collaborating with Design & Creative teams to ensure innovation and relevance across all channels.
2. Support business initiatives, new product launches, and onboarding of new suppliers.
3. Understand product construction and fit; contribute to reviews, propose recommendations on lab dips and bulk submissions.
4. Work closely with QA to ensure quality standards are met and risks are identified during development.
5. Manage complex critical paths with varied lead times, ensuring key dates and risks are managed effectively across seasons.
6. Maintain product line lists and sheets accurately and on time.
7. Support product-related meetings, store training, and act as an ambassador for your product areas.
8. Understand target margins and highlight potential risks.
9. Manage department space efficiently with junior team members.

Supplier Management

1. Maintain regular communication with suppliers, address issues promptly, escalate risks, and manage performance.
2. Coordinate product brief sheets, samples, and information for efficient selection meetings.
3. Deputise for the Buyer in supplier meetings and contribute to sourcing strategies and risk management.
4. Share market trends, trade, and competition insights with suppliers.
5. Ensure suppliers understand packaging and ticketing standards; drive development of new ticketing solutions for specifications.

Commercial Awareness

1. Build strong internal and external relationships.
2. Deputise for the Buyer in weekly meetings, ensuring stakeholder engagement.
3. Understand customer needs through store visits and feedback collection.
4. Conduct store and competitor assessments, providing trading, pricing, and product development recommendations.
5. Analyze sales, profit, and margin data to inform trading decisions.
6. Demonstrate range-building skills through store and customer profiling.
7. Contribute to seasonal strategy with research and performance insights.
8. Review costs and understand costing models.
9. Show passion for your product area, pride in presentation, and eagerness for learning and challenges.

Management, Training, and Development

1. Continuously review and improve processes and controls.
2. Support and develop Buying Assistants, identifying growth opportunities.
3. Manage the Buying Assistant daily, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
4. Participate actively in team activities and training initiatives.
5. Communicate product information effectively to stores, web teams, and call centers, and seek sales improvement opportunities.
6. Create training materials for wider business use.

Skills & Experience

1. Extensive Head Office Buying experience at Assistant Buyer level in hardlines, with ownership of a product area.
2. Proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
3. Experience presenting to senior management in trade and range planning meetings.

Manage the development and support of a buying admin assistant.

What we’ll offer you

At The White Company, we value employees who go the extra mile, rewarding with benefits and competitive salaries.

• Up to 50% discount and access to Sample Sales
• Holiday entitlement starting at 23 days, rising to 25
• Option to buy additional holiday days
• Group Personal Pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Perkplace Benefits Platform
• Wagestream Money Management app
• Structured development support
• Life Assurance

Additional Benefits include daily fruit baskets, tea and coffee, flexible working, social events, seasonal sales, volunteer days, and a great location near transport links and amenities.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion is integral to our culture. We aim to create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves, contribute, and feel valued. Our policies start with our recruitment process.

We are also committed to sustainability, reflecting this in all our actions for a brighter future for people and the planet.