At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Senior Buyer in managing product ranges and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Currys, the UK's leading tech retailer with a passionate team.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, life assurance, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your buying career in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail buying, strong negotiation, and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Overview
Currys London Campus at Waterloo – Permanent Full‑time – Grade 3.
At Currys we’re united by a single passion: to help everyone enjoy amazing technology.
As the UK’s best‑known retailer of tech, we pride ourselves on the service our customers receive – all thanks to our team of 25,000 caring and committed colleagues.
We work as one team, learning, growing, and celebrating the moments that make each day amazing.
As an Assistant Buyer in our Essentials team, you will develop your buying career in this fast‑paced role.
You will support our Senior Buyer across a range of products including PC, tablet, Apple, imaging, white goods and TV accessories, and will also help grow our exciting new categories.
You will interact with major suppliers such as San Disk, Samsung, Logitech, HP, Microsoft, Duracell, Energizer and One For All.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage category supplier relationships, aligning with the overall commercial provider strategy.
- Build credible relationships and develop sourcing strategies that deliver the best ranges and support the core category strategy.
- Collaborate with suppliers to understand future technology roadmaps and anticipate changes in customer trends and demand.
- Negotiate product ranges – cost pricing, terms, exclusivity, distribution, stock availability – with distributors.
- Secure fixed and variable financial terms related to ranging, activity, and performance.
- Negotiate promotional funding to drive sales while maintaining margin in line with financial objectives.
- Differentiate products and promotions to support market‑share growth objectives.
- Set pricing in line with agreed category CPI targets.
- Use customer and market data from the go‑to‑market team to ensure correct ranges and promotional plans are in place to drive customer loyalty.
- Required Skills & Experience
- Buyer experience in a fast‑paced retailer across FMCG, fashion, or hard goods.
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage supplier partnerships.
- Good judgment and decisive decision‑making to act for the category.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills for reviewing data and proposing action plans.
- Strong planning, organisational and multitasking abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of presenting to senior stakeholders and working cross‑functionally.
- Customer champion with commercial awareness and understanding of customer needs.
- Proficiency with Share Point, Teams, Excel, Word, Power Point and MS Office workflow tools.
- Experience meeting deadlines and managing critical paths.
- Good presentation and speaking skills.
- Why Join Us
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday entitlement.
- Life Assurance.
- Staff discounts and offers.
- Hybrid working – expected to meet in person 2‑4 times per month.
We are a proud recycler and repairer of tech in the UK, and we want you to help shape your future and ours.
Candidates should feel we are a fair opportunity, and if additional assistance is needed please contact
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Essentials in London
✨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 Currys PLC, 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 Currys PLC!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Essentials in London
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 Currys PLC, 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 Currys PLC 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 Currys PLC that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Currys PLC
✨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!
