Assistant Buyer

We’re ASOS. We blend our flair for fashion with our love of cutting‑edge technology, but more importantly we are interested in how we can bring the best out of you. We exist to give people the confidence to be whoever they want to be, and that goes for our people too. At ASOS, you’re free to be your true self without judgment, and channel your creativity into a platform used by millions.

THE ROLE

The Assistant Buyer plays a key role within the Buying Team. The role of the Assistant Buyer is all about developing amazing product for ASOS and building fashion‑forward, commercial ranges that deliver against sales and margin targets. You will be the pivotal member of the Buying team, working closely with your Buyer, as well as Design, Technical and Merchandising teams, Suppliers or Brands, to develop and buy a range that is loved by our fashion‑forward 20‑something customer.

THE TEAM

ASOS is one of the UK’s top fashion and beauty destinations, expanding globally at a rapid pace. Our values are to be authentic, brave and creative, and we live and breathe these in everything we do. The Buying team is instrumental in making ASOS the front runner for fashion and trends across womenswear and menswear. Within our Own Buy function, which includes ASOS Design, ASOS White and Collusion, our teams focus on developing and delivering a range that pushes the boundaries and meets the needs of our customer. The Buyers work closely with several business areas including Design, Merchandising, Marketing and Garment Technology, and have relationships with a wide supplier base ensuring that the product we deliver is the best it can be. The Branded buying teams are responsible for creating and sourcing the brand mix for their department, covering big commercial brands through to high‑end designers and emerging brands to offer our customer the most exciting fashion trends and create a point of difference in the global market.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the Buyer in sourcing and developing products
• Overseeing the fitting and sealing of samples
• Helping to build a commercial and fashion‑forward relevant range with constant newness that our 20‑something customer will love
• Building excellent relationships with your suppliers – this is key especially when negotiating cost prices and delivery dates
• Working with your Buyer to trade within the season to potentialise sales and profits – we work at a fast pace and are incredibly reactive
• Actively contributing to the department strategy, by identifying risks and opportunities for the department that are supported by data and presenting these to the Buyer and Merchandiser
• Influencing the department or brand, using company levers to optimise sales performance
• Working closely with Design and Merchandising teams to build the range, analyse sales data and agree actions.
• Leading the range build selection process, justifying decisions by referencing relevant trend and trade elements.
• Maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of global competitors, considering pricing, product and current affairs in analysis of their product ranges and presenting findings to the team
• Presenting CUM BTA in the Buyer’s absence, identifying clear trading actions relevant for the audience
• Managing the critical path, highlighting to the Buyer any risks of not meeting contracted dates
• Working with Sourcing and Technical teams on relevant sourcing, ethical, garment tech and fabric considerations and initiatives related to Fashion with Integrity
• Overseeing the training and development of Buyers Administrators within the team, role‑modeling the ASOS behaviours

Qualifications

We’d love to meet someone who:

• Has previous Fashion Buying experience as an Assistant Buyer within Womenwear in a fast‑paced, global Retailer or Brand
• Lives and breathes fashion and is passionate about the product
• Has a strong understanding of 20‑something culture and the ASOS customer, and is able to spot the latest trends relevant for them
• Is super organised, able to use their initiative and to work in a high‑pressured environment
• Has great attention to detail to ensure that all the important details such as selling price, shipment dates and product attributes are correct
• Has the ability to build strong relationships with other Retail teams and suppliers alike
• Effectively demonstrates the ASOS values – Authentic, Brave, Creative and Disciplined
• Is able to communicate and present clearly and effectively to all levels
• Has experience of using relevant trading systems and MS Office

Additional Information

• Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
• Employee sample sales
• 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment
• Private medical care scheme
• Fixed Annual Payment in addition to your salary each year, it’s just an extra thank you from us
• Opportunity for personalised learning and in‑the‑moment experiences that enable you to thrive and excel in your role