Assistant Buyer / Merchandiser - Retail

Assistant - Buyer Merchandiser Location – Hybrid/remote (commutable to key locations) About Our Client Our client is a growing gym brand. With a strong people-centric culture, they operate world-renowned brands across these industries, including one of the fastest-growing strength and conditioning leisure brands in the UK, as well as supplements and clothing brands. In an evolving and increasingly complex business landscape, growth requires embracing diversification, optimising agility, and fostering flexibility for sustained success. This approach underpins our client’s strategy and purpose, with the ambition to develop a multi-brand organisation that enhances brand performance through a commercial operator lens. Job Description As an Assistant Buyer, you are a seasoned professional with strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in procurement. Your ability to analyse complex data, understand market trends, and influence stakeholders at various levels enables you to develop and execute category strategies that drive profitable growth and deliver exceptional customer propositions. With your strategic mindset and adaptability in balancing short- and long-term objectives, you are adept at managing high-performing teams, navigating dynamic retail environments, and making impactful decisions that positively influence shareholder value, product performance, and team development. Your role will involve range building, range selection, product proposition, and planned executions across all channels, with a focus on delivering a customer-centric proposition and achieving target KPIs, including sales, margin, stock, availability, and customer satisfaction. Additionally, you will manage pricing strategies, negotiate supplier funding, and work towards enhancing profitability through effective trading plans and joint business plans with suppliers. You will play a key role in executing range launches, promotions, and events while contributing to the financial management and success of products. Role Responsibilities * Pitching ideas for new product ranges to key stakeholders in the business * Managing suppliers to deliver product development and conducting market research to bring new products to market * Identifying suitable suppliers/manufacturers and maintaining strong business relationships * Identifying niche products tailored to the target customer base * Visiting relevant trade fairs to source new products * Developing and embedding ethical supply chain policies * Coordinating product launches across eCommerce and physical locations * Negotiating prices, quantities, and delivery timescales with suppliers to secure optimal cost prices, lead times, and payment terms * Managing pricing across categories to achieve a competitive position without compromising profitability * Analysing purchase data and managing stock levels * Producing reports and forecasts to inform purchasing decisions * Completing financial and system administration tasks * Maximising product performance by understanding market trends, competitors, and customer needs * Collaborating with internal stakeholders to drive sales, profit, and efficient stock management * Continuously improving product offerings by monitoring reviews and feedback reports Skills and Experience * Minimum of 1 year of experience in a similar role, with essential experience in buying or purchasing * Comfortable, confident, and experienced in managing overseas suppliers * Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills * Dynamic and eager to learn and develop within the company * Excellent negotiation skills with a keen ability to identify trends and their impact on stock levels * Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft programs * Ability to extract and interpret data, developing a strong awareness of business systems * Ability to work proactively and re-actively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks * Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative team-oriented approach * High attention to detail and ability to work efficiently under pressure Benefits * Contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday, Free access to fitness facilities, Discretionary annual bonus scheme, based on performance, MediCash health insurance package, Mileage reimbursement (aligned with current HMRC rates) from base location (TBC)