Assistant Buyer, Part Time

Brown Thomas Arnotts; Dublin; On-site; EUR 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Brown Thomas Arnotts is seeking a commercially minded Assistant Buyer on a part-time contract within the Home & Lifestyle Division. You will support product selection, range planning, and supplier negotiations to deliver a trend-led, commercially successful product range that enhances the customer experience.

You will work closely with the Buyer and Merchandising team, applying strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, collaborative approach to drive profitability and brand

Qualifications

• Experience in retail/buying, ideally in Home, Food or Lifestyle categories.
• Qualification in Buying, Merchandising, or related discipline.
• Strong commercial acumen and awareness of market trends.
• Excellent Excel and system skills with an analytical mindset.

Responsibilities

• Support the Buyer with pre-season buys, brand selections, and range building.
• Assist in developing assortment plans delivering a balanced, profitable range.
• Negotiate with suppliers on discounts, terms, and logistics to optimise profitability.
• Collaborate with Marketing to deliver effective brand and promotional activity.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Analytical mindset

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Team player

Creativity

Problem solving

Education

Buying/Merchandising qualification

Tools

Excel

Merchandise management systems

Job description

At Brown Thomas Arnotts, we are Reinventing Retail. Our purpose is to enrich our customers’ lives, which we achieve by living our values – Going Above and Beyond, Driving Creativity and Innovation, and Doing the Right Thing. We are one business with two iconic brands, bringing exciting experience to life through our digital and physical destinations. Our customer engagement sets the bar in service and experiential retail, giving our customers something to love every time.

KNOW THE ROLE

We are looking for a motivated and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our Brown Thomas Arnotts Buying team on a specific purpose contract in our food buying category within the Home & Lifestyle Division. This is an exciting part-time opportunity to play a key role in supporting the Buying and Merchandising functions in delivering a trend-led and commercially successful product range.

Working closely with the Buyer, you will assist with product selection, range planning, and supplier negotiations, ensuring our customers experience the very best that Brown Thomas Arnotts has to offer. The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical ability with creativity, excellent attention to detail, and a genuine passion for the brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Buyer in planning and executing pre-season buys, brand selections, and range building
• Assist in developing assortment plans that deliver a balanced, customer-focused, and profitable range
• Negotiate with suppliers on trade discounts, settlement terms, and logistics to optimise profitability.
• Partner with Marketing to deliver effective brand and promotional activity that drives customer engagement
• Collaborate with Retail Operations through regular floor walks and feedback sessions to optimise brand performance
• Support the setup of products and pricing within merchandise management systems, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Liaise with Finance to ensure suppliers are correctly set up and managed in line with internal processes
• Work closely with the Buyer and Merchandise team to set mark-up targets, markdown rates, and selling prices to achieve gross margin objectives
• Partner with the Online team to ensure accurate product setup, imagery, and availability across digital platforms
• Manage in-season replenishment and continuity ordering to support consistent stock flow and sales performance.

Person Specification

• 2–3 years’ retail or buying experience in a fast-paced environment, ideally within home, food or lifestyle categories
• Qualification in Buying, Merchandising, or a related discipline
• Strong commercial acumen and awareness of customer and market trends
• Excellent Excel and system skills, with an analytical mindset and attention to detail
• Highly organised with strong prioritisation and time management skills
• Strong communicator, able to build effective working relationships across functions and with suppliers
• Creative and proactive approach to problem-solving and idea generation
• Collaborative and adaptable team player with a drive for results
• Passionate about fashion, brands, and delivering an exceptional customer experience
• Acts with integrity, professionalism, and alignment to the Brown Thomas Arnotts Purpose and Values

KNOW WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

We believe that every team member should have the opportunity to curate a meaningful career that enhances professional and personal development. That is why we foster a culture of belonging and inclusiveness where your voice is valuable. A great customer experience starts with a great people experience, and we’re proud to have been recognised by multiple industry bodies for our progressive workplace culture.

As a Brown Thomas Arnotts team member, you will benefit from:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Competitive annual leave entitlement
• Team Member discount across the world’s most iconic brands
• Recognition Days for Volunteering & Wellbeing
• Leading Talent Programmes
• Flexible Working Model
• Additional Benefits

Experience is our business: Our customer engagement sets the bar in service and experiential retail, giving our customers something to love every time.

We Are More Than Shops: We create enjoyable places, to excite, where people socialise, discover, learn and are inspired, and where local communities are enriched.

We are Curators: Our unique range of product and services are key to the sense of excitement that Brown Thomas Arnotts is renowned for, whether for a special day or every day, things that make our customer’s lives better.

We Care for Our People: We believe a great customer experience starts with a great people experience. That is why we promote a culture where talent is nurtured and where creativity and learning are valued.

Brown Thomas Arnotts is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where culture and creativity come together. Our future success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all team members – their diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences make our business stronger. We don’t discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and / or membership of the Travelling community.

We aim to ensure the candidate experience is accessible to all and every new team member who joins Brown Thomas Arnotts can expect to become part of a progressive community where different backgrounds, views & personalities aren’t just welcomed – they’re positively nurtured. After all, we want you to bring your whole self to work. Please contact us at [e-mail] to request accommodation.