At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buyer in managing orders and building the menswear range.
- Company: Join White Stuff, a vibrant brand known for its unique designs and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, annual bonuses, generous holiday, and a 50% discount on products.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for community volunteering.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values your ideas and fosters personal growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong analytical skills, and a passion for menswear.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea.
This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women's and men's clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware.
Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.
Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward.
We're sociable, talented and like minded and we're not hierarchical or political in how we do business.
We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.
Primary objective of the job
The Assistant Buyer will support the Buyer in the management of the order and delivery process.
They will also support the Buyer in building the range and this position initially sits within our Menswear Team.
Who you are
- Previous experience at AB level, managing your own area with an understanding buying calendar and range building process.
- menswear experience preferred
- Experience of planning and developing product with Merch and Designer (overseen by Buyer).
- Ability to formulate a clear directional strategy for individual area of responsibility.
- A tenacious, positive attitude with a willingness for continuous improvement in the role, and a desire to develop yourself and junior members of the team.
- Positive & proactive approach to building & maintain strong relationships with key internal & external stakeholders.
- Able to identify problems and makes suggestions for improvements/solutions
- Takes accountability to ensure that own and team targets are met.
- Strong analytical & numerical skills with attention to detail.
- Highly organized, self-motivated, flexible approach to managing high workload & ad hoc tasks.
What you'll be doing
- Presenting product on a regular basis to the Buyer, Merch and senior Management.
- Working closely with Buyer, Merchandiser, Designer to ensure Product objectives and Sales plans & are delivered.
- Influence the range construction using sales information, history, instinct and commercial research.
- Support and input into the team's objective to build a commercial, balanced, focused range through competitor benchmarking and relevant trend direction in line with the department and division strategic plans.
- Reactive to current trade, to manage risks and maximize opportunities.
- Active influencing within departmental strategy meetings, analyzing sales, commercial feedback, comparative shop reporting to ensure the delivery of driving full price sales, reducing markdown, and appropriate new product opportunities.
- Contribute to team objective of achieving optimum cost-effective negotiation and supplier management
- Demonstrate high levels of thorough management of the departmental and divisional end to end critical path
- Be fully aware of delivery of goods to the DC and communicate changes to delivery arrangements to the whole team
- Manage the approval of labdips, strike offs and trims to a high standard that delivers the signed off look of each product.
- Contribute to improving products fits, make fit comments when BAA is not available and be able to discuss critical path deadlines in relation to fit approvals/rejections and communicated to suppliers.
- With support of the BAA have responsibility for end to end sample management administrative duties and approvals
- Managing the garment approval process from components to garment sealing,
- Carry out risk assessments in collaboration with the technical team to identify potential issues demonstrating a greater understanding of production techniques and risks.
- Maintain quality control; work with Technologist to ensure the supplier adheres to all White Stuff policies and procedures ensuring legal requirements are met and company standards of labelling and ticketing are followed.
- Work with the Technologist on any quality and delivery issues. Agree actions to be taken after discussions with Technologist, Buying Department and Supplier.
What we will offer you
- Hybrid working - 4 days a week in the office - Mandatory Monday
- Annual bonus opportunity
- Up to 25 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays
- 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community
- 50% discount
- Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance
- Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Pension Contribution
We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves.
Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age.
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Assistant Buyer Menswear in London employer: FashionUnited Group
FashionUnited Group is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a dynamic and supportive work culture in the heart of Manchester. With competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, and a generous uniform allowance, we prioritise employee satisfaction and growth, offering ample opportunities for career advancement within the luxury retail sector. Join us to be part of a team that is dedicated to delivering exceptional service while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of one of the UK's most exciting cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer Menswear in London
✨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 FashionUnited Group, 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 FashionUnited Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer Menswear in London
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 FashionUnited Group, 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 FashionUnited Group 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 FashionUnited Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at FashionUnited Group
✨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!
