At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Seasonal Buyer in creating exciting Snowsports and Camping product ranges.
- Company: Join Cotswold Outdoor Group, where adventure meets innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, generous holiday, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that inspires outdoor adventures and promotes sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or strong admin skills with a passion for outdoor products.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
- Assistant Buyer
- Salisbury
- Wiltshire
- Any
- Cotswold Outdoor Group
- Join us on the journey
This is a hybrid role with a minimum of three days in the office per week.
At Cotswold Outdoor Group, the outdoors isn't just where we work, it's who we are.
Every day, our head office teams play a vital role in helping people get outside, explore more, and experience the world around them.
We're looking for an Assistant Buyer to join us on that journey.
This role is about more than just day-to-day responsibilities, it's about shaping how we inspire our customers, support our stores, and grow our community of adventurers.
We've officially made the move to our new office in the heart of Swindon and couldn't be more excited.
Our brand-new sustainable office at 1 Newbridge Square puts us right next to the train station and the new bus boulevard, making it easier than ever to connect.
This move marks an exciting new chapter in our journey, and our new space has been designed with the future in mind - supporting collaboration, wellbeing, and our commitment to working more sustainably.
About us
We believe life's better when it's lived outdoors. From hiking and wild swimming to simply stepping away from the screen, nature helps us feel alive.
At our head office, every role helps make those adventures possible.
Whether it's shaping our systems, supporting our teams or driving key initiatives, you'll play a vital part in helping people get outside and explore more.
We're part of the Cotswold Outdoor Group, including Runners Need and Snow + Rock, offering trusted brands, expert advice, and a commitment to protecting the planet.
Whether it's your first step or your next move, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and be part of something bigger.
- What you'll be doing as Assistant Buyer
- Supporting the Seasonal Buyer to develop and deliver profitable Snowsports and Camping product ranges.
- Analysing sales performance, market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities and drive commercial decisions.
- Building strong supplier relationships and supporting negotiations to achieve the best costs, margins and product performance.
- Preparing and presenting range reviews, seasonal analysis and sign-off presentations to key stakeholders.
- Collaborating with Merchandising, Marketing, Visual Merchandising and Digital teams to deliver successful product launches and campaigns.
- Monitoring weekly trading performance and KPIs, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
- Managing the product sample process and supporting seasonal photoshoots and product launches.
- Deputising for the Buyer when required and representing the category at supplier meetings, trade fairs and store visits.
- We're looking for someone who
- Has experience as an Assistant Buyer, or is a strong Buying Admin Assistant looking to progress.
- Brings experience from outdoor, snowsports, camping, fashion, sportswear or FMCG environments.
- Has strong commercial awareness and a passion for consumer and market trends.
- Is highly analytical with excellent numerical skills and confidence working with sales data.
- Has strong communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Can build effective supplier relationships and demonstrate good negotiation skills.
- Is proficient in Excel and Power Point and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Is proactive, organised, resilient and enjoys working collaboratively in a fast-paced retail environment.
- What you'll get from us
Joining our team means more than just getting paid a salary, it's about being part of a workplace that values you, your growth and your wellbeing.
As Assistant Buyer, you'll enjoy
- Starting salary of £26,000 - £28,000 with a yearly bonus of up to £1,530
- Hybrid working options to support your work-life balance
- Holiday Buying Scheme - contract dependant
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice scheme - dependent on meeting eligibility
- Volunteer day with a charity of your choice
- 33 days holiday allowing you to recharge and explore the outdoors
- Staff discounts of 40-60% across our full range of outdoor brands
- Savings on everyday essentials including groceries, travel, fitness, and entertainment through our perks hub
- Everyone's welcome
We welcome applications from all genders, backgrounds, and experiences. Diverse teams make us stronger, helping us learn, grow, and create a place where everyone belongs.
We want to hear your voice so encourage you to write your own application and use AI tools sparingly.
We're looking for honesty, authenticity, and a real sense of who you are.
Applications that feel generic or AI-generated may not stand out.
This advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so don't wait too long to apply.
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Assistant Buyer in Andover employer: Cotswold Outdoor
As a Store Manager with us, you'll be part of a vibrant team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences in the great outdoors. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and development, alongside competitive benefits like private medical insurance and generous discounts on outdoor gear. Join us in a role where your leadership not only drives store success but also contributes to a meaningful commitment to protecting our planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Andover
✨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 Cotswold Outdoor, 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 Cotswold Outdoor!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer in Andover
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 Cotswold Outdoor, 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 Cotswold Outdoor 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 Cotswold Outdoor that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cotswold Outdoor
✨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!
