At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying team with product data management and supplier liaison.
- Company: Join Dobbies, a leading garden centre retailer with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, generous discounts, hybrid working, and professional development support.
- Other info: Collaborative office space with social events and a focus on employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that champions garden living and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Strong computer skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Buying & Merchandising Assistant to join our team based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade.
Your role will be to provide support to the Buying team, working closely also with stores and suppliers.
The role focuses on product data management, supplier liaison and sample management, maintaining the critical path for the Buying team and general administrative tasks.
Our Buying & Merchandising Assistant role offers a hybrid pattern of home working and working from our Central Support Office.
You can choose to work more frequently in the office if you'd prefer.
- Responsibilites
- Critical path oversight to ensure delivery of team objectives
- Managing and maintaining the sample library - ensuring samples are delivered and returned to suppliers on time and to critical dates for sign off deadline and other key events (including press and marketing events)
- Ensuring suppliers and all products are set up accurately on the systems
- Liaising with suppliers to resolve any issues regarding purchase orders, samples, delivery dates and other ad hoc requests
- Inputting key product information into the range plan and inputting short codes and product attributes into back-office systems
- Creating group purchase sheets and uploading them into intranet for store use
- Creating Dobbies barcodes for products as required
- Resolving scanning queries received from store
- Setting up promotions and assisting in the preparation of seasonal product catalogues
- Providing analytical reports where required
Who we are looking for
- High level of computer literacy, including word, excel and power point
- Excellent organisation skills with strong attention to detail
- Strong team player
- Proactive
- Focussed on getting things right
- Strong planning, prioritisation, presentation and problem-solving skills
- Comfortable managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills, building strong relationships across the business
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Can demonstrate our values at all times – we’re one team, getting better everyday. We bring a smile. We live and breathe gardens. We make it work for our customers.
What we offer
- Holiday – enjoy a well deserved break with 33 annual leave days per year (pro-rata for part time)
- Discount – treat yourself with generous uncapped discount across our stores with 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre and 10% off in our food halls
- Hybrid working – a combination of office and home working to help balance your work life balance
- Pension – save for the future with our company contributed enhanced Group Pension Plan
- Season ticket loans – spread the cost of travel with an interest free loan
- Access to Stream – support your financial wellbeing, with ability to access earnings ahead of pay day, save for the future and financial advice
- Access to Retail Trust – seek confidential support, access to a Virtual GP, free counselling service and discounted retail rewards with our employee wellbeing platform
- Access to Dobbies Academy – continue your development with our e Learning platform and development programmes
- Study assistance – invest in your professional development with funded courses and qualifications
- The little things to keep you going through the day – free tea, coffee, and milk
- Collaborative office space – with access to our wellbeing room, learning resources and even a book swap
- Invites to our annual company conference, summer and Christmas social events
About us
At Dobbies, we’re proud to have a history dating back to 1865. We were founded by James Dobbie and are the only garden centre retailer to have stores in every nation across the UK.
Our passion and joy for gardens and plants is what makes us special.
In our stores, we showcase this through own brand and branded products, concession partners and services.
We champion garden living all-year-round.
Many of our stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, where customers can enjoy refreshments or meals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
We offer a calendar of events and experiences that bring people and communities together, and we have a national charity partner that both our colleagues and customers raise money for,
We’re committed to being a great place to work.
We’re one team and we encourage our colleagues to be the best version of themselves, every day; to share their wins and celebrate success.
Together, we make it work for our customers.
Buying & Merchandising Assistant in Edinburgh employer: Dobbies Central Support Office
Dobbies is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and personal growth within the Gardening team. With generous benefits such as 33 annual leave days, hybrid working options, and access to professional development through Dobbies Academy, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance. Located in Lasswade, our Central Support Office provides a supportive environment where passion for gardening and retail excellence come together, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
Contact Details:
Dobbies Central Support Office Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying & Merchandising Assistant in Edinburgh
✨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 Dobbies Central Support Office, 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 Dobbies Central Support Office!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying & Merchandising Assistant in Edinburgh
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 Dobbies Central Support Office, 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 Dobbies Central Support Office 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 Dobbies Central Support Office that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dobbies Central Support Office
✨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!
