At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the buying team with sample management and supplier communication.
- Company: Join Karen Millen, a premium womenswear brand known for quality and style.
- Benefits: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Other info: Thriving in a fast-paced environment is key to success here.
- Why this job: Be part of a fashion-forward team shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and excellent organisational abilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Where Timeless Luxury Meets Modern Elegance. Born from a bold vision in 1981, Karen Millen began with just £100 and a passion for perfecting the classic white shirt. That same commitment to impeccable style, quality, and craftsmanship lives on today. Karen Millen is now a renowned premium womenswear brand, celebrated for flattering fits, meticulous design, and a dedication to detail that sets us apart. From elevated everyday essentials to timeless investment pieces, every piece is thoughtfully created for the modern woman, combining sophisticated design with enduring quality. Join us in shaping the future of fashion with a brand built on heritage, innovation, and exceptional design.
THE ROLE
As a Buying Admin Assistant you'll be responsible for supporting the buying team by ensuring sample management is kept on top of and organised effectively. You'll communicate regularly with suppliers to ensure orders are fulfilled in a timely manner, including any amendments that are necessary. You will manage the critical path set out by your department with the support of your Assistant Buyer / Buyer.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Trade: Holds weekly Optimum Positioning Opportunities (OPO) meetings alongside Assistant Buyer, Assistant Merchandiser and MAA. Updates Buyer with supplier and critical path updates. Carries out weekly comp shops to highlight competitors pricing, shape or colour messages and suggests actions. Understands the departments' best and worst sellers. Has a general understanding of the wider brand's performance.
- Order Maintenance: Supports the AB with chasing suppliers and making sure all fit & production samples come in on time, ensuring delivery dates are met. Manages samples for the studio by making sure all production samples are approved and sent on the same day. Attends and contributes in fit sessions. All samples must be ready and in the correct order with correct codes. Checks own categories on site daily to ensure no spelling mistakes and accurate descriptions. Supports team to organise samples for weekly sign off and rack ups.
- Sample Management: Check production samples and approves them ready to be sent to the studio. Clears and organises the sample room on a regular basis to keep on top of samples and general upkeep of the office. Organises and distributes post where necessary.
- Supplier Management: Regularly calls suppliers to discuss delivery dates and to chase samples to ensure that fit and production samples are in and approved to meet the delivery date on the critical path. Attends supplier meetings with Buyer / AB to understand how to negotiate price and delivery dates. Understands supplier delivery terms such as FOB (Freight On Board).
- Sage: Has a good understanding of Sage and able to make relevant amendments using Sage. Able to amend Purchase Orders (PO) and find supplier information in the PO.
- Reports: Contributes towards trade meetings with best and worst seller performance information. Has a basic understanding of the range monitor and where to find territory sales. Monitors unpublished stock report. Sends the Daily Sales Report to buyers each day.
- Product Development: Assists in product development and chases samples using the Development tracker.
- Fits: Has a basic knowledge of fitting & technical terminology, and how to measure garments. Shares ownership for sending fit comments to relevant teams.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Excellent commercial awareness. Able to recognise future trends.
- Ability to prioritise multiple deadlines and manage time effectively.
- Great communication skills.
- Natural planner and highly organised.
- Can think about the bigger picture, as well as the small details.
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment and able to adapt to situations.
WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division. We don’t stand still - we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible. We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers, people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact. Be bold. Be creative. Be a community.
WHY JOIN US
2025 is a year for making bold moves, delivering real results, and driving forward with unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, then you belong at Debenhams Group. Let’s lead the change together.
Buying Admin Assistant - Karen Millen in London employer: Debenhams Group
At Karen Millen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture. As part of the Debenhams Group, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages creativity and growth, with ample opportunities for professional development in the fast-paced fashion industry. Located in a hub of style and design, our team thrives on collaboration and is dedicated to shaping the future of retail while delivering outstanding results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Admin Assistant - Karen Millen in London
✨Tap into Fashion-Specific Platforms
When you're hunting for that entry-level role in fashion, check out platforms like Fashion Jobs or Not Just a Label. These sites focus on the fashion industry and can help you get your foot in the door with relevant listings that might not be on mainstream job boards.
✨Show Off Your Style on Social Media
Utilise Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your eye for fashion. Create a portfolio of your style or even designs if you’re feeling creative. This not only builds your personal brand but also gets you noticed by potential employers who are always on the lookout for fresh talent.
✨Join Fashion Networking Events
Get yourself along to local fashion events, pop-up shops or trade shows. Networking is key in fashion, so chat with industry professionals, and don't be shy to hand out your contact details. You never know who might put in a good word for you when an entry-level role opens up.
✨Apply Directly to Debenhams Group
Don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page at Debenhams Group for any entry-level openings. Applying directly through their website can often put you ahead of the competition, especially if they’re looking to fill roles quickly. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Admin Assistant - Karen Millen in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Style:When you're applying for a job in fashion-apparel, it's crucial to let your personal style shine through in your application. Incorporate design elements or a unique layout in your CV that reflects your understanding of current trends and your creative flair. This helps us see how you think about aesthetics from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Education & Experience:If you’ve taken any fashion courses or have experience in retail, make sure that's front and centre on your CV! Whether it's a part-time job at a clothing store or a fashion-related project you worked on at university, we want to see how your background aligns with our fashion-forward ethos at Debenhams Group.
Passion Over Experience:Since this is an entry-level position, we understand you might not have loads of experience. So, in your cover letter, focus on your passion for fashion! Share why you're excited about working with us at Debenhams Group, and connect it to your motivation for wanting to enter this vibrant industry.
Include a Portfolio, Even If Small:If you have any sketches, designs, or mood boards, don’t hesitate to share them! Even a small portfolio links creativity to your application and can set you apart. If you don't have any portfolio pieces yet, consider including links to your favourite fashion blogs or Instagram accounts that inspire you — we love seeing what gets you excited about fashion!
How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams Group
✨Show Off Your Passion for Fashion
Let’s be real; the fashion world is super competitive. So, we need to showcase our passion! Bring a portfolio of our best styling looks, whether it’s a mood board, personal projects, or even student work. It’s our chance to show Debenhams Group that we live and breathe fashion!
✨Stay Trendy and Informed
Before the interview, we should catch up on current trends, famous designers, and industry news. It might just be the perfect icebreaker or the punchline to a question! Plus, it shows Debenhams Group that we’re not just here for a job; we’re genuinely keen on what’s happening in the world of fashion.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since we're stepping into an entry-level role, we should be prepared to discuss our creative process. Maybe sketch a design or outline how we’d style a specific piece if asked. Debenhams Group wants to see our imagination at work, so don’t be shy about expressing our unique ideas!
✨Know Your Fashion Terms
Let’s brush up on our fashion vocabulary! From ‘couture’ to ‘athleisure’, knowing the lingo can really help us in the interview. Debenhams Group might throw in some technical questions, so being fluent in fashion speak will show we’re ready to dive into the industry headfirst.
