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- Tasks: Support the buying team in product planning, selection, and delivery.
- Company: Join Fanatics, a dynamic company passionate about enhancing the fan experience.
- Benefits: Competitive benefits, hybrid working, and a culture of collaboration and support.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in buying while making a real impact on product ranges.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or merchandising, strong analytical skills, and a proactive attitude.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced environment with a focus on teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 45000 £ per year.
As an Assistant Buyer, you’ll play a key role in supporting the buying team across the full product lifecycle—from planning and selection to delivery and trading. This role offers hands-on experience in the end-to-end buying process, helping to drive commercial performance while ensuring product ranges align with brand strategy. It’s an excellent opportunity for someone looking to deepen their buying expertise and grow within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
How You Will Make a Difference
- Support the Buyer in planning, selecting, and managing product ranges to meet sales and margin targets
- Negotiating with suppliers on pricing, margins and payment terms
- Monitor trading performance and consumer trends to inform buying decisions
- Maintain and update range plans, line sheets, and product data
- Prepare reports and analysis on sales, margin, and product performance
- Work closely with merchandising to ensure accurate forecasting and planning
- Track and support the critical path to ensure timely product launches
- Contribute ideas for product development and seasonal range building
- Collaborate with marketing, e-commerce, and content teams to support product launches and campaigns
What You Bring To The Team
- Experience in a buying or merchandising environment, ideally as a Buying Assistant or similar
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with a keen eye for detail
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Proficiency in Excel and familiarity with buying systems (Oracle/BI knowledge is a plus)
- A proactive, can-do attitude with a willingness to learn and take initiative
- Passion for product, retail, and ideally an interest in sports or licensed merchandise
Working Knowledge Of
- Range planning and selection
- Supplier management
- Critical Path & Delivery Scheduling
- Product set-up and data management
Where You’ll Work And What’s Required
This role is based at our UK headquarters in Manchester, with hybrid working arrangements available. Occasional travel to stores, events, or other offices may be required.
At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don’t meet every single requirement, that’s okay – we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you’re excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don’t hesitate to apply. We’re genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.
What Is In It For You
Culture: Join a team where you’re surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.
Benefits: At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life; as such we offer a range of competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate. Specific details regarding the benefits package applicable to your location will be shared and discussed during the interview process.
Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester employer: Fanatics
Contact Detail:
Fanatics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. 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 the company and its products. Understand their brand strategy and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As an Assistant Buyer, you’ll need to negotiate with suppliers, so brush up on your tactics. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to get comfortable with discussing pricing and terms.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Assistant Buyer role. Highlight any relevant buying or merchandising experience, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and attention to detail!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your enthusiasm for product and retail, especially if you have an interest in sports or licensed merchandise.
Show Off Your Skills: We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their proficiency in Excel and any buying systems you’ve used. If you’ve got experience with range planning or supplier management, make sure to include that too!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we want to see your unique skills and perspective come through in your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fanatics
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills. Brush up on your numerical abilities and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform buying decisions in the past. Prepare examples of how you’ve monitored trading performance or consumer trends.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
This role requires excellent organisational skills, so come prepared with examples of how you've managed multiple tasks and deadlines. You might even want to bring a sample range plan or line sheet you've worked on to illustrate your experience.
✨Be Ready to Negotiate
Negotiation is key in this role, so think about times when you've successfully negotiated terms with suppliers or stakeholders. Practise articulating your approach to negotiation and how you ensure both parties feel satisfied with the outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Fanatics values passion for product and retail, especially in sports or licensed merchandise. Be prepared to share what excites you about the industry and how that passion drives your work. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're a great fit for their culture.
