Junior Buyer

SPOKE; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare Plan

Pension Plans

Work From Home

Training & Development

Job summary

SPOKE in Richmond, VA is hiring a Junior Buyer to join our Product team. You will manage the day-to-day of the seasonal critical path across product development and bulk production, including tracking samples, lab dips, and maintaining range data.

You’ll own admin for the department and help keep projects on time and on plan. We value organization, proactivity, and a commercial mindset, with exposure to supplier communication and system improvements.

Qualifications

• Must be highly organized and proactive with strong administrative capabilities.
• Experience supporting product development or production processes is a plus.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with an eye for detail and cost awareness.

Responsibilities

• Track samples (proto, SMS, PP, shipment) across categories and chase outstanding items.
• Manage lab dip approvals and keep swatch libraries organized.
• Record costs at each stage and ensure records are accurate.

Skills

Admin

Attention to detail

Communication

Commercial awareness

Excel/Google Sheets

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Who we are

SPOKE is a menswear brand that gives him a look that's considered, yet effortless, because the product has real substance, it styles easily, and the fit is built around him from the start. We're based in Richmond, where the London skyline meets lush, leafy greens — and we've built a loyal following on one promise: Ridiculously Well Fit, or your money back.

The role

We're looking for a Junior Buyer to join our Product team. You will play a pivotal role in managing the day-to-day of seasonal critical path across product development and bulk production - including tracking samples, managing lab dips to keeping product data and range plans accurate and up to date. You’ll own the admin behind the department and play a key role in keeping things moving, on time and to plan.

We’re after someone organised, proactive, and commercially aware- keen to learn how a product is built and ready to get stuck in.

What you'll do

Sampling & Development

• Track and log all samples (proto, SMS, PP & Shipment) across categories, and chase anything outstanding
• Manage lab dip approvals across development and bulk production and keep swatch libraries up to date and well organised
• Chase in cost prices at each sealing stage and ensure records are accurate
• Prepare samples and development materials ahead of key meetings and sign-off points
  

Critical Path & Data Management

• Keep the product critical path updated and flag delays or risks early
• Maintain trackers, line plans, BOMs, and shared folders to ensure accurate records at every stage
• Collate and update product data as styles evolve—from first proto to final sign-off

Cross-Team & Supplier Communication

• Coordinate across Design, Garment Tech, Merchandising, and Creative to ensure development and bulk production runs to plan
• Share timely updates with wider teams to keep everyone aligned on progress, risks, and changes
• Follow up with suppliers to get sample and bulk production statuses, lab dip approvals, pricing, and updates
  

Research & Commercial Awareness

• Support comp shop reviews and trend research to inform seasonal development
• Organise fabric and trim research—log swatches, manage contacts, and keep notes tidy
• Track new developments and innovation trials for future seasons

Production

• Critical Path: chase updates, run bi-weekly supplier calls, and flag risks with proposed fixes
• Invoices: approve as they come in - matching to POs and flagging reconciliation issues
• Costing: Support the Head of Buying in reviewing costings, ensuring we hit our target margins
• Intake: Monitor and report on weekly intake, calling out any delays to the wider team

Process & Systems Contribution

This role is also key to improving how the team works. We use digital platforms, shared trackers, and workflow tools to help the team work smarter, not harder. The focus is on optimising how we operate—driving clarity, reducing friction, and ensuring key information is always up to date, accurate, and easy to access across the Product Team..

You will:

• Build and maintain trackers, dashboards, and documentation that improve visibility, accuracy, and efficiency across Product Development and Production workflows
• Ensure information flow between teams is clear and reliable—supporting better planning, faster decision-making, and fewer surprises
• Identify opportunities to optimise systems and processes—leveraging platforms and tools to reduce duplication, cut admin, and improve overall workflow integrity

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Clear, confident communication—especially around chasing, follow-ups, and reminders
• Commercial awareness and customer-first thinking—everything we build is for them
• Comfortable using Excel / Google Sheets and managing shared digital tools
• Previous internship or assistant experience in a product development or production role
• An interest in menswear and how product comes to life

What makes you stand out

• You’re great at admin—and proud of it. You know it’s what keeps the engine running
• You take ownership, are pro-active and spot issues before they become problems
• You bring energy, structure, and calm—even under pressure

• Private Healthcare Plan
• Pension Plans
• Work From Home
• Training & Development