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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buyer in managing accessories and analysing market trends.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic retailer focused on quality and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team transforming retail with creativity and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Assistant Buyer in fashion, especially Accessories, is essential.
- Other info: M&S values diversity and offers support throughout the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
From Merchandising and Marketing – Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning – our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.
As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office at least three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration,and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What’s in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…
- After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you\’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you’ll do
As the Accessories Assistant Buyer Advanced on Womenswear your key accountabilities will include
- Support the Buyer by displaying a clear understanding of M&S’ customer
- Support the Buyer working with Design and Sourcing Offices to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction whilst analysing historical sales in line with trends and design direction
- Contribute as an active member of the Buying team to work within a commercially focussed culture
- Work with the Buyer to manage the departmental critical path. Manage BAAs to ensure efficient product & sample management across the buying floor. Support BAA training and development to help upskill teams.
- Actively participate in coordinating and presenting the range for sign-off and work with Buyer in setting and delivering the strategy for the department
- Demonstrate good knowledge of Accessories finished goods and materials supply base and support processes to ensure M&S’ scale and buying power is fully leveraged
Who you are
Your skills and experience will include
- Experience working to at least Assistant Buyer level in a fashion retailer. Experience in Accessories or Non Clothing is required!
- Product obsessed and a passion to drive M&S forward!
- Experience of cost price negotiations, global sourcing and a commercial mindset
- Highly organised, self motivated and proactive
- Role model for BAAs to live the M&S behaviours
Everyone’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more
conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting
opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you\’d benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
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Assistant Buyer - Advanced Accessories employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
Contact Detail:
Marks & Spencer Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Advanced Accessories
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with M&S' product range, especially in accessories. Understanding their style and customer preferences will help you demonstrate your passion for the brand during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of M&S, particularly those in buying roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends in fashion and accessories. Being able to discuss recent trends and how they relate to M&S' offerings will show your commercial awareness and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with cost price negotiations and global sourcing. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed these aspects, as they are crucial for the Assistant Buyer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Advanced Accessories
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of the Assistant Buyer position. Highlight your relevant experience in fashion retail and accessories, as well as your understanding of market trends.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience at the Assistant Buyer level. Emphasise your product knowledge, negotiation skills, and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your commercial mindset.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the brand. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to previous teams and how you can bring value to M&S.
Showcase Teamwork and Collaboration: Since the company values collaboration, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to work effectively within a team. Highlight any experiences where you supported colleagues or contributed to group projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Show Your Passion for Accessories
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for accessories and how they fit into the broader fashion landscape. Share specific examples of trends you've noticed and how you think they could influence M&S's offerings.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to discuss how you would approach cost price negotiations and global sourcing. Highlight any previous experiences where you successfully managed budgets or improved profitability in your past roles.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration Skills
Since the role emphasises teamwork, share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with design and sourcing teams in the past. Discuss how you believe collaboration can enhance creativity and drive results.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask how you would handle specific challenges in the buying process. Think about scenarios involving product management or market trend analysis, and be ready to articulate your thought process and solutions.
