At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Horticultural Director in sourcing seeds and managing purchase orders.
- Company: Join Kings Seeds, a passionate team with over 130 years of experience in horticulture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and death in service benefits.
- Other info: Office-based role in Essex with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the gardening world while learning from industry experts.
- Qualifications: Strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and a passion for horticulture.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Kings Seeds has been trading since 1888 and sells seeds to hobby gardeners, garden centre retailers, and commercial growers. Kings Seeds is known for offering high-quality seed, all tested for germination in its own seed laboratory by its own qualified seed analyst. King’s Seeds main priorities have always been quality seed, quality customer service, and excellent value products, resulting in a high percentage of customer loyalty.
As an Assistant Buyer at Kings Seeds, you will support the Horticultural Director with administrative tasks relating to sourcing seeds and other horticultural products from various suppliers all over the world.
Core Responsibilities:- Assist in the procurement of seed and other horticultural related products.
- Prepare reports that aid the purchasing team in their forecasts and negotiations with suppliers.
- Place and track purchase orders to ensure products arrive on time.
- Track shipments and provide information for APHA if required.
- Arrange collection of shipments, dealing directly with carriers, customs agents, and track and chase each shipment from pick up to destination arrival ensuring all paperwork is correct.
- Plan, monitor, and assist with maintaining accurate stock levels.
- Work with the Horticultural Director to assist in the planning of seasonal demand, choosing new season ranges and volume requirements.
- Assist with collation of product information needed for catalogue and website copywriting, including product features and benefits, technical information, and images.
- Attend appropriate flower and vegetable trials with the Horticultural Director to grow your product and supplier knowledge base within the UK and Europe.
- Other ad hoc duties related to the role, depending on the business needs.
We are looking for someone who has accurate, efficient administrative skills and who is practiced in working with and compiling data sheets. You will demonstrate practical knowledge of procurement and demonstrate:
Essential:- Excellent attention to detail and organisation skills.
- Effective communication skills.
- Methodical and structured approach to work.
- Effective IT skills including Excel and Access database.
- Ability to work under pressure and react to changing demands, prioritising workload and tasks to best achieve the overall plan and meet deadlines.
- A good horticultural knowledge and a passion for gardening.
- A good telephone manner, as you will be expected to speak to customers and take orders over the phone.
- Ability to help and give advice to customers on the phone and assist the customer service team with sound and reliable gardening advice.
- A willingness to learn from the Horticultural Director and retain as much information of his 40 plus years in horticulture.
- To assist the Seed Laboratory team with germination queries and contacting suppliers if purchases do not meet our quality standards.
- Good writing skills to assist with copywriting for seed catalogue and packet copy.
- Ability to work on your own if required.
- Clean driving licence.
- Willingness to stay away on business trips as and when required.
Will be office based in Essex, offering a competitive salary, we offer death in service of 2.5 x annual salary, 22 days holiday plus BH, and a pension scheme. Closing date 30 June 2026.
Assistant Buyer in Essex employer: E W King & Co Ltd
At Kings Seeds, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and dynamic employer, where our small but passionate team thrives in a collaborative environment. Located in Essex, we offer competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to employee growth through hands-on learning from experienced professionals in the horticultural field. Join us to be part of a company that values quality, customer service, and a fun workplace culture, all while contributing to the legacy of a brand that has been trusted since 1888.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the horticultural industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Kings Seeds and its products. Show your passion for gardening and knowledge of horticulture during the chat. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for our team culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with customers and suppliers, being able to convey information clearly is key. Role-play with a friend or family member to get comfortable with common scenarios you might face.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our passionate team at Kings Seeds.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture:When you're writing your application, let your love for gardening and horticulture shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about the industry and our products.
Be Detail-Oriented:Since attention to detail is key for this role, make sure your application is free from typos and errors. Use clear formatting and structure to showcase your organisational skills right from the start.
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got experience in procurement or administrative roles, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed tasks similar to those listed in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at E W King & Co Ltd
✨Know Your Seeds
Before the interview, brush up on your horticultural knowledge. Familiarise yourself with different types of seeds and their characteristics, as well as current trends in gardening. This will show your passion for the role and help you connect with the Horticultural Director.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Since you'll be dealing with customers and suppliers, practice your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you would handle customer queries or order placements over the phone. Clear and effective communication is key, so think about examples from your past experiences that demonstrate this.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
As an Assistant Buyer, organisation is crucial. Bring examples of how you've managed data or tracked orders in previous roles. You might even want to prepare a mock report to showcase your attention to detail and methodical approach to work.
✨Be Ready to Learn
Express your willingness to learn from the Horticultural Director. Share your enthusiasm for gaining knowledge and how you plan to retain information from their extensive experience. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in growing within the company.
