Overview
Excellent career-development opportunity for a candidate with great numeracy skills to join a $100 billion global retailer.
We are particularly interested in talking with candidates who may have worked for retail brands like John Lewis or Debenhams.
The Role at a Glance:
Buying Assistant - Global Retailer
Watford, Hertfordshire (Office Based)
£34,112 DOE
Plus Excellent Benefits Package
Full Time Position - 40 hours per week.
The Buying Assistant Overview:
Enter and update computer records and produce reports for buying staff.
Review department inventory reports weekly and tracks item replenishment and purchase orders.
Send and track vendor contracts, and advertisement and logo agreements.
Communicate with regional offices, vendors and members to relate and gather information and to resolve issues.
Responsibilities
- Set up item and vendor records by keying information on the computer.
- Update item and vendor records for changes such as price, terms, descriptions, addresses. Keys in figures for weekly department recap.
- Review department inventory reports by location weekly. Check for zero or negative item sales. Follow up with the warehouse to alert of stock not on the sales floor or possible receiving error and track problem until corrected. Track initial stock orders for new locations and follow up with vendors.
- Set up and track item replenishment and purchase orders in the computer system to ensure the smooth flow of goods to the warehouses.
- Mail out vendor contracts. And ad and logo agreements for signatures and tracks until return.
- Communicate with regional buying offices, depots, warehouses, vendors and members to relate and gather information and to resolve issues.
- Assist Buyers and Assistant Buyers in merchandising projects as required.
- Transport buyer sample merchandise to and from sample storage room on cart.
- Assist in other areas of the department as necessary.
- Assist in other departments of the company as necessary.
Buying Assistant Daily Tasks and Responsibilities
- + (Main duties include) Set up item and vendor records by keying information on the computer.
Qualifications
- Degree education preferred.
- Excellent Numeracy skills essential.
- Excellent written and spoken English and good negotiation skills.
- Computer literate, proficient in word processing and spreadsheets (Microsoft Word and Excel) and in the use of internet and e-mailing.
Benefits
- Executive membership for staff and 3 others.
- Life Insurance.
- Pension Plan.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Optical benefit after 1 year employment.
- Dental benefit after 2 years employment.
- 20 days annual holidays.
Additional information
Candidates must be able to work freely in the UK without restrictions.
You may have worked in the following capacities: Buying Administrator, Buying Analyst, Inventory Analyst, Inventory Reporting Analyst. Buying and Stock Coordinator, Retail Buying Assistant.
Application notice... We take your privacy seriously. As you might expect you may be contacted by email, text or telephone. Your data is processed by our talent partner RR (Recruitment Revolution) on the basis of their legitimate interests in fulfilling the recruitment process. Please refer to their Data Privacy Policy & Notice on their website for further details.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant in Watford
✨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 Costco Wholesale, 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 Costco Wholesale!
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 Costco Wholesale, 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 Costco Wholesale 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 Costco Wholesale that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costco Wholesale
✨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!
