At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying team in managing stock, data, and purchase orders for Food & Drink.
- Company: Fenwick, a historic and innovative family-owned department store.
- Benefits: 33 days annual leave, birthday off, up to 25% discount, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact in premium retail buying.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration, strong Excel skills, and a passion for food & drink.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Are you looking for a new challenge in a buying role? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Buying team as a Buying Administrator looking after our Food & Drink category!
We offer hybrid working between your home and our functional hub offices in our Newcastle Flagship store, offering a collaborative and innovative working space.
Benefits
- 33 days annual leave (inclusive of 8 bank holidays) and a buying holiday benefits scheme in which you are eligible to buy a further 5 days across the year
- Your birthday off as an additional day annual leave – this can be taken any day within your birth month.
- Up to 25% discount in all Fenwick stores and fenwick.co.uk.
- WeCare - 24/7 GP, wellbeing advice & support service
- Hybrid working (Typically Thursday & Friday working from home)
About the role
We’re looking for a Buying Administrator to support our Food & Drink Buying and Merchandising teams across Fenwick’s retail and digital channels. This role plays a vital part in the end-to-end trading process, ensuring stock, data and systems are accurately managed to support strong commercial performance and a seamless customer experience.
Working closely with Buyers and Merchandisers, you’ll manage purchase orders, track deliveries, maintain accurate product and Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) data, and support sales and stock analysis. You’ll help ensure ranges are set up correctly in systems, promotional activity is implemented on time, and suppliers meet Fenwick’s priorities, while working cross-functionally with Digital, Retail, Finance and Logistics to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
This role suits someone highly organised, numerate and confident working under pressure, with strong Excel skills and a keen commercial eye. You’ll bring great attention to detail, clear communication skills and a proactive mindset, alongside an interest in Womenswear and an enthusiasm for supporting a fast-paced, collaborative buying environment.
What we are looking for in a candidate…
- Experience within an administrator role is desirable.
- A keen interest in Buying and premium retail.
- Confident and comfortable with using initiative.
- Good relationship building skills.
- Able to manage time well and prioritise multiple workstreams.
- Highly numerate and IT literate especially in Excel.
- A keen interest in food & drink retail and knowledge of trends.
- Good analytical skills.
About Fenwick
Fenwick is rich with heritage and history and have been style pioneers since 1882 when our first store opened. We know luxury and are proud to remain the largest independent, family-owned group of department stores within the UK. We are on an exciting journey to exceed our customers' expectations and we are always on the lookout for new talent to join us.
Our collaborative spirit unites a workforce of over 2,000 individuals across our stores, as well as in our support functions, encompassing Digital, Buying & Merchandising, IT, Finance, People, Customer Service teams, and our cherished restaurants and distribution centres.
In 2023 we launched our ‘Quiet No More’ campaign, enhancing our presence on the UK high street as well as our eCommerce website going from strength to strength. Together, we form the beating heart of Fenwick, driving forward our vision for excellence and innovation. Join us as we pave the way toward an even brighter tomorrow, where tradition meets transformation!
Buyer\'s Administrator in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Fenwick Limited
Fenwick is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and personal growth. With generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, a unique birthday off policy, and a supportive hybrid working model, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the heart of Newcastle, our flagship store provides a dynamic environment where you can contribute to the legacy of a family-owned business while enjoying a rewarding career in the premium retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer\'s Administrator in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Fenwick Limited, 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 Fenwick Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer\'s Administrator in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Fenwick Limited, 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 Fenwick Limited 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 Fenwick Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fenwick Limited
✨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!
