Assistant Buyer

We know all about our high street roots and bricks and mortar stores. Now, we’re looking to the future. Since 2021, we’ve embraced some changes. Debenhams hasn’t made a comeback – we’ve been here since 1778, evolving and adapting to the times. This is Debenhams today – Britain’s Leading Online Department Store. We are more than a department store – we are an institution, creating the blueprint for designer collaborations and launching countless brands while inventing the beauty counter, consistently shaping the retail landscape. This is only the beginning of the next chapter for Debenhams. Britain needs Debenhams… Debenhams needs you!

The role

As an Assistant Buyer you will be focused on our London–based womenswear brands, supporting the Buyer in sourcing and developing our product ranges with the brand. This role will include constantly reviewing the critical path to ensure that department targets, as well as deliveries, are met on time and in line with the brand’s strategy. You will play a part in coaching our BAAs and share your skills and experience to help build our future talent.

What you’ll be doing

• Trade: Contributes to weekly trade pack, reviewing department best and worst, suggesting move ons for new reactions. Reacts to daily trading reports, feeding back to Buyer on new reactions. Achieves cost price reductions on first time rebuys. Carries out weekly comp shops and supports the BAA in collating the comp shop report. Works closely with the buyer and garment techs to react to high returning lines.
• OPO Management: Highlights all OPO issues to buyer, making sure any suppliers with issues are highlighted. Takes responsibility for weekly OPO meetings alongside AM, BAA and MAA.
• Team Management: Manages BAA on critical path and OPO management to ensure department targets are achieved and deliveries are on time. Manages and develops the BAA and supports with their training.
• Creative: Contributes to product development with an awareness of department best and worst. Generates ideas to support department strategy through product, studio and VM. Carries out daily review of department galleries to ensure product is being shot correctly.
• Sage: Uses Sage to find pricing and supplier information when needed. Amends prices/description/dates and supplier information.
• Product Development: Assists JB/Buyer in product development and sends out own briefs. Understands category fabrics, their compositions, weights, and prices. Takes ownership for chasing improvement in development samples. Has a basic understanding of category frameworks in relation to product development.
• Production Samples: Approves all fit samples. Manages and oversees samples being sent to studio and organizes shoot rails.
• Fits: Demonstrates a strong understanding of fitting and technical terminology. Leads all fit sessions, along with Quality Control. Takes ownership for ensuring fit comments are sent.
• Supplier Management: Takes ownership of OPO and critical path to make sure all intake lands on time. Attends weekly supplier meetings.

More About You

Previous experience working in fashion buying, either at Assistant Buyer or Senior Buyers Admin Assistant level. Consistently manages workload effectively, trusted to make actions without prompt. Approachable to your whole team and external parties and always ready to help and support, acting as a role model for junior members. Accepts feedback and is willing to adapt personal approach to achieve better communication as well as increased communication with senior management. Is a keen learner and always pushes yourself to find out more about the business industry and company. Super adaptable and finds it easy to switch it up when the business needs. Can delegate and share workload to the team effectively. Always ahead at spotting trends and commercial wins for the business.