At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buyer in delivering stylish clothing ranges and driving sales growth.
- Company: Crew Clothing, a brand celebrating timeless British style and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, uniform allowance, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a supportive culture and opportunities for progression.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make an impact on fashion while learning the buying process.
- Qualifications: Experience in a similar role, strong communication skills, and a passion for product.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
At Crew Clothing, we believe clothes are about so much more than “just clothes”. Designed with the spirit of the south coast in every stitch, our crossed oars are a mark of timeless British style. These are clothes for life’s best moments. We believe in collaboration, kindness and creativity, in celebrating our successes and championing our customer at every step of the way. From ’93 to now, people have been at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our name – Crew.
Purpose of the role: The Assistant Buyer supports the Buyer in the smooth and commercial delivery of the Crew product range to drive profitable sales growth. This role supports the management of the process to ensure that the collections, once designed, are appropriately priced and that they are effectively produced to the quality expectations of the Crew customer and in line with department and business expectations.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting Buyer in all aspects of the product development process
- Buy and develop ranges inline with agreed range and in line with business strategy
- Contracting orders to suppliers for all dept to Critical Path (delegating to BAA, if necessary)
- Oversee buying info on the range plan to ensure 100% accuracy and information entered in a timely manner
- Sample Management
- Critical path management
- Develop ranges to agreed plan and margin, making sure they are inline with agreed supply partners
- Place orders and manage to 95% availability
- Maximise sales through trading and strategy (within agreed parameters)
- Manage critical path and own all approval stages
- Liaise with suppliers and sourcing to manage opportunities
- Liaise with merchandiser to produce lessons learnt for future ranges
- Produce monthly market and competitor reports to form strategies for future ranges
- Present ranges in sign off
- Be aware of sales and performance
- Understand cost price/margin/quantity requirements
- Update and manage the critical path weekly
- Report exceptions to all channel launch dates to buyer on weekly basis
- Liaise weekly with direct team, merchandising and technical through garment approval stages and update critical path
- Delegate or approve fabrics, colours and garment trims to delivery
- Attend fit sessions and approve through quickest technical staging
- Report to Buyer on QC issues to solutions
- Raise and follow through debit notes for late deliveries and ensure they are listed on logistics report
- Ensure timely delivery of SMS and photo shoot samples according to critical path
- Manage SMS tracker and liaise with channels on handover
- Manage invoicing and courier charges for SMS samples (according to budget)
- Work with technical to manage fit sessions and sample organisation
- Arrange samples for sign off. Take notes and liaise on amendments to range plans
- Manage sample storage and delegate department tidiness to BAA, if necessary
- Manage workload of Admin Assistant
- Work cross functionally on proof approvals for product collateral and input buying information to product database
Key Skills and Experience:
- Essential:
- Experience in same or similar role
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Excellent computer literacy in Excel/Outlook/Word
- Ability to prioritise and manage a work schedule whilst working to tight deadlines
- Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with suppliers and other department members
- Team work but motivated and able to work independently
- Understanding of the buying function and critical path processes
- Skilled in management of others
- Able to work with pace and energy
- Desirable:
- Desire to learn understanding of garment construction and production processes
- Passion for product and keen to learn
- Positive and solutions orientated
- Keen to progress within the role
What we can offer you:
- Staff Discount
- Uniform allowance
- Pension scheme
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Training and career development
- Supportive and rewarding culture
Assistant Buyer in Kingston upon Thames employer: Crew Clothing Head Office
Contact Detail:
Crew Clothing Head Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Assistant Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Crew Clothing and understanding their brand ethos. We want to see your passion for their products and how you can contribute to their success. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their vibe!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to buying and product development. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Product: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the fashion industry shine through. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about product development and have a keen eye for detail. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your passion!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Buyer role. Highlight your experience in similar positions and how it aligns with our values at Crew Clothing. We want to see how you can contribute to our team and help drive profitable sales growth.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your skills and experiences relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Crew family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crew Clothing Head Office
✨Know Your Product
Before the interview, dive deep into Crew Clothing's product range and ethos. Familiarise yourself with their style, values, and recent collections. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to the brand's vision.
✨Master the Critical Path
Since the role involves managing the critical path, brush up on your understanding of this process. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure timely deliveries and manage exceptions. Having specific examples from past experiences can really set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Assistant Buyer, you'll need to liaise with various teams and suppliers. Prepare to demonstrate your communication skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully collaborated in previous roles. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the buying process at Crew, and opportunities for growth within the company. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can grow with the company.