Assistant Buyer

Assistant Buyer

Full-Time 27000 - 33000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Carvela

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the management of key licensees and collaborate on exciting projects.
  • Company: Carvela, a premium accessories brand with Italian heritage.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, half-day pay day Fridays, and retail support.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of kindness and innovation with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make an impact in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in brand licensing and strong relationship management skills.

The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.

Carvela, deeply rooted in Italian heritage, leads the way in premium accessories with shoes and bags designed in the heart of Milan by women, for women.

Each product reflects our commitment to exceptional design and comfort, with every collection thoughtfully designed.

Our brand is shaped by timeless style and a design philosophy that empowers women of all ages to feel their best.

Made with high-quality materials and shaped by Italian-inspired silhouettes, our collections are created to work as hard as the women who wear them.

The role

The Assistant Buyer will assist in the management of key licensees across the business. They will also be responsible for:

  • Supporting the strategic development of the licensing programme to deliver key growth objectives.
  • Assist in managing the critical path across the licensees, coupled with managing the critical path within our internal teams.
  • Support in the day-to-day management of licensees.
  • Collaborate with designs and production to support development.
  • Own the sample management process across all the licensing categories.
  • Set up meetings, take meeting minutes and communicate to all parties involved.
  • Build and nurture strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
  • Develop a deep understanding of partner delivery timelines, commercial objectives, growth strategies and KPIs.
  • Support the wider team in agreeing new partnerships and renewals.
  • Produce presentations and other collateral that help the wider team monitor licensee performance.
  • Development of training manuals and presentations with detailed product information on each collection.
  • Conduct regular competitor analysis to identify trends.
  • Maintain and update our weekly selling reports and forecasts.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have the following

  • Experience in brand licensing or commercial-orientated role.
  • Exceptional relationship management skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and producing high quality work.
  • Excellent Excel and Power Point skills.
  • Understanding of commercial partnerships and licensing business models.
  • Natural people skills with a high level of empathy and ability to engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Self-awareness, curious, open-minded and courageous in regard to learning.
  • Global mindset with ability to adapt and flex to changing environments and different cultures.
  • Competitive basic salary
  • Pension and life assurance
  • Half Day, Pay Day Friday (once per month)
  • Retail Trust support

• And so much more!

Our Culture

We’re an energic fast-paced brand that embraces progress and strives for innovation.

Hard work is rewarded with new opportunities at every level and kindness is celebrated in everything we do.

Our summer working hours accommodate a healthy work life balance.

Wellbeing is important to our working culture, which is why we nurture a friendly environment for talent to thrive in, alongside a vibrant social community.

The first Kurt Geiger store opened on London Bond street in 1963.

Today, our brand has global appeal and is distributed in hundreds of cities around the world.

We operate over 70 stand‑alone stores nationwide, including our new flagship store on London Oxford street, and in over 400 stores globally.

Beyond stand‑alone stores and retail pop ups, our retail partners include some of the world’s most famous department stores.

We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness | For Freedom | For Unity Against Racism

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Assistant Buyer employer: Carvela

Carvela is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where every team member is empowered to thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to ongoing training and mentorship opportunities, ensuring your growth within the fashion retail industry. Located in the heart of London, our flagship store offers a dynamic environment with competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and amazing employee discounts, making it a rewarding place to build your career.

Carvela

Contact Details:

Carvela Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer

Get Your Retail Game On

Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!

Join Retail Networks and Forums

Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Carvela, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!

Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities

Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Carvela!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer

Brand Licensing
Relationship Management
Attention to Detail
Project Management
Excel Skills
PowerPoint Skills
Commercial Partnerships Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.

Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Carvela, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.

Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Carvela and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!

Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Carvela that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at Carvela

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!

Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems

Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!

Understand Product Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.

Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios

Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!