Trainee Buyer

FatFace; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion retailer in Havant is seeking a Trainee Buyer to support the Buying team. You will manage sample logistics, perform administrative duties, and assist in market analysis. Ideal for candidates passionate about fashion with organizational skills and a proactive attitude. This role offers a full-time contract with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

60% off FatFace products

25% discount at Next stores

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to Work scheme

EAP support 24/7

Qualifications

• Experience within a retail environment is an advantage.
• Enthusiasm to learn and a supportive attitude.
• Ability to manage a wide range of responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage proto samples and liaise with suppliers.
• Support Assistant Buyer in critical path management.
• Assist in creating trading packs and competitor analysis.

Skills

Passion for fashion

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Awareness of fashion trends

Education

Fashion / Retail Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role: Trainee Buyer

Contract: Full-Time, Fixed Term - 9 months

Location: FatFace HQ, Havant, PO9 1QJ

Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based)

Who are we?

For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.

Our mission statement:

Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.

Our Product formula:

Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.

We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 best places to work 2025 and best places to work for women 2025.

Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.

Role Summary

As a Trainee Buyer will be working alongside the Buying Team to support the Buying team in delivering key administration for the department, whilst learning the fundamentals of the Buying role.

Role Responsibilities

Sample management:

• Managing proto samples upon arrival, labelling, and checking off as appropriate.
• Chase in all VM & photo shoot samples as required.
• Liaise with suppliers from around the globe to track samples for selection meetings and production approvals.
• Be aware of key meetings to prepare samples and information as required.
• Chase in samples for fitting and prepare paperwork, filing as required.
• Assist in the fitting sessions with sample organisation and administration of the fit log.

Administration:

• Daily up-keep of department filling, approvals and any supplier correspondence required.
• Supporting across other departments with admin tasks as workload requires.

System:

• Support Assistant Buyer in critical path management to ensure key dates are met to maximise launch availability and profits.
• Support AB with Product Labelling & Packaging requirements.
• Support Buyer with getting Product Online data ready for publishing.
• Chase in sustainability certification and update on system.

Trading:

• Assist in the creation of the Monday trading packs, understanding best and worst performance.
• Use your knowledge of relevant trends to find new product initiatives that you believe are missing from the department’s current product offering.

Market awareness:

• Visiting competitor and inspirational brands and share opportunities & findings with AB/Buyer.
• Updating of competitor analysis on product and pricing on a seasonal basis

Department knowledge

• Gain understanding of the department strategy. Produce supplier, competitor, and product information as required.
• Develop an understanding of the product development process.
• Initial insight into sourcing the right materials and sustainability strategy.
• Understand cost price’s and how to negotiate the best cost.
• What to look for when Approving colour, fabric and fit for production.
• Deputise for Assistant Buyer when required.

Skills and Experience

• A passion for fashion and the FatFace brand
• Have an awareness of key fashion and market trends by gaining inspiration from a variety of sources.
• Work experience within a retailer is an advantage.
• Fashion / Retail Qualification or in store experience
• Enthusiasm to learn, supportive and ‘can do’ attitude.
• Highly organised, you’ll be able to proactively manage a wide range of responsibilities throughout the development process.
• Work well within a team, both internally and externally.
• Align self to companies social and environmental mission and champion any actions that you can directly impact at all times’

Role Competencies

• Use of required Product systems and Microsoft Office
• Basic understanding of the Buying working practices, buying lifecycle and terminology.
• An understanding of the FatFace customer & our competitors.

Key Contacts and Relationships

• Internally: Product team, VM & Phot studio team.
• Externally: Suppliers.

FatFace Benefits

Financial & Protection Benefits

• Sick pay allowances
• Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
• Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
• Dental insurance (colleague funded)

Discounts & Perks

• 60% off FatFace products
• 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
• O2 phone discount
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• Perkbox – our online platform offering:
• Day-one access
• Exclusive brand discounts
• Wellbeing content
• Home workouts and more

Health & Wellbeing

• Specsavers eye care scheme
• Eye tests and contributions to glasses
• Free period products
• EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support

Learning & Development

• THRIVE – our learning management system:
• Day-one access
• 1,000s of learning resources

Time Off & Leave

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
• Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.

Additional Perks

• Refer a Friend scheme

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.