At a Glance
- Tasks: Support buying and trading for retail and partnerships, analysing trends and managing relationships.
- Company: Boden, a stylish and inclusive brand that values collaboration and fun.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous clothing allowance, 30% discount, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make an impact in the fashion industry while having fun.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or as a BAA, with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Flexible working with 3-4 days in the office and excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. Without the collaboration, honesty and friendship between our teams, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We curate a world of beauty that’s ethical, inclusive – and importantly – good fun. We inspire you to live your best life. We are Boden.
This Assistant Buyer position is integral to understanding our brand and our customer in all our trading regions specifically retail stores and UK partnerships. They will also take responsibility, under the supervision of the Junior Buyer, for buying and trading retail and partnerships channels.
Location: 3-4 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest WFH.
What You Will Do:
- To regularly monitor and analyse competitor’s prices and activities.
- To be constantly and proactively aware of market and seasonal trends.
- To work closely with our internal marketing and merchandising to understand retail customer trends and moments.
- To support with delivering a balanced range with all of our partners considering all attributes and Big Ideas.
- Use knowledge of physical retail spaces and fixtures to create ranges that are commercial, visually exciting and offer outfitting.
- To help implement department strategy for the season.
- To work with buying and merchandising to understand and assist with stock in and out ensuring the store/partnership remains on brand.
- Work with Merchandising and the Junior Buyer to define category planning and mixes by channel; taking into account Boden product strategy, sales history and Partner trends.
- Work with senior management to arrange VM meetings and present ranges in stories to inform VM packs and floor plans ensuring they have a clear message.
- Managing partner product requirements and working with development teams to ensure needs are met.
- Building & maintaining partner relationships with key stakeholders.
- Present and sign off ranges with Head of Partnerships and Head of Merchandising.
- Work with Merch team to understand any late deliveries or AQL highlighting where this may cause issues to store packages /partners.
- Understands both the partnerships and product critical path, and keeps team up to date on key moments in weekly meetings.
- Ensures the critical path is updated and highlights issues.
- Ensure PLM is accurately updated in systems by allocation deadline post internal meetings changes and submit to allocators.
- To work with the BAA to ensure product files are sent to external partners on time and accurately to enable product to launch on time.
- To understand and present weekly and seasonal sales and suggest appropriate action to maximise sales and profit in all channels.
- Work with merchandising to analyse weekly sales and from this define and implement trading actions across all channels.
- To work with Merchandising to deliver seasonal strategy packs by drop for all relevant channels.
- Drive sales by agreeing trading actions based on competitor analysis.
- To ensure all necessary documents and systems are completed accurately and ahead of time to ensure smooth delivery and trading of product ranges across all channels.
- To manage and develop the BAA and keep them performing well and motivated by giving regular feedback.
- Conduct performance reviews for BAA and set smart objectives within PDP.
- Continuing to manage the day to day workload of the BAA.
- Building and maintaining relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
What We Are Looking For:
- Already at experienced BAA level or currently at AB level looking for a change.
- Passionate about a career in Buying and Partnership management.
- Be creative and have a keen eye for detail.
- Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Experience of being part of a team.
- Some retail buying experience.
- Be organised, adaptable and enjoy a challenge.
- Clear communication skills.
- Good problem-solving skills.
- Great time management.
- Ability to multitask.
- Ability to work independently.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary & targeted annual bonus scheme.
- Generous Boden clothing allowance!
- 30% discount on all current clothing ranges.
- 25 days Holiday annually, plus Bank Holidays.
- Online Portal with an array of discounts on retail & entertainment.
- Virtual GP Service for you and your household!
- Free onsite parking and subsidised café.
Assistant Buyer - Retail and Wholesale in London employer: Boden
Contact Detail:
Boden Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Retail and Wholesale in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Boden inside out! Research our brand values, products, and customer base. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral – which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your past experiences relate to the role of Assistant Buyer. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and keep them engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Boden family!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Retail and Wholesale in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for buying and partnerships shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about the industry and our brand.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Buyer role. Highlight any relevant experience in retail buying and partnership management, and don’t forget to mention your Excel skills – we love a good spreadsheet!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate honesty and clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for Boden.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Boden
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Boden's values and mission. Understand their commitment to ethical and inclusive fashion. This will help you align your answers with what they stand for and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role involves monitoring competitor prices and market trends, be prepared to discuss how you've used data in past roles. Bring examples of how your analysis led to successful buying decisions or improved sales, demonstrating your ability to think critically.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Boden values collaboration, so highlight your experience working in teams. Share specific instances where you contributed to a project or helped resolve a conflict, showcasing your communication skills and ability to build relationships with colleagues and partners.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face situational questions related to buying and merchandising. Think about how you would handle stock issues or present a new range. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly and confidently during the interview.