Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester

Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the buying team in planning, selecting, and managing product ranges.
  • Company: Join Fanatics Commerce, a leader in licensed sports merchandise with a passion for fans.
  • Benefits: Competitive benefits, hybrid working, and a culture of collaboration and growth.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment while contributing to exciting product launches.
  • Qualifications: Experience in buying or merchandising, strong analytical skills, and a proactive attitude.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work with top-tier talent and develop your career in retail.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.

Role Overview

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: GamblingCareers.com

At Fanatics Commerce, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant work culture that champions collaboration and innovation. As an Assistant Buyer, you'll not only gain invaluable hands-on experience in the buying process but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous development opportunities. Located in Manchester, our hybrid working arrangements and competitive benefits ensure a supportive environment where your passion for retail and sports can truly thrive.
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Contact Detail:

GamblingCareers.com Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Fanatics Commerce, their products, and their culture. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Assistant Buyer role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your skills align with the role's requirements, especially around product management and supplier negotiations. Practise your responses so you can showcase your analytical and organisational skills confidently.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Fanatics team and ready to contribute to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester

Analytical Skills
Numerical Skills
Attention to Detail
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Relationship-Building Skills
Proficiency in Excel
Familiarity with Buying Systems
Range Planning
Supplier Management
Critical Path Management
Product Data Management
Proactive Attitude
Interest in Sports Merchandise

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for sports and retail shine through in your application. We want to see how your passion aligns with our commitment to fans and innovation.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying or merchandising. We love seeing how your skills can contribute to our team, so don’t hold back!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so get to the point about why you’re a great fit for the Assistant Buyer role.

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 this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at GamblingCareers.com

✨Know Your Products

Before the interview, dive deep into Fanatics Commerce's product range. Familiarise yourself with their licensed sports merchandise and current trends in the market. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate your proactive approach to understanding the business.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

As an Assistant Buyer, strong analytical skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've used data to inform buying decisions or improve sales performance in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific metrics and outcomes to highlight your numerical prowess.

✨Emphasise Team Collaboration

Fanatics values teamwork, so be prepared to share experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. Whether it’s working with merchandising or marketing teams, illustrate how your contributions helped achieve common goals and enhanced product launches.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, upcoming product launches, or how they measure success in the buying process. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.

Assistant Buyer (9 Month FTC) in Manchester
GamblingCareers.com
Location: Manchester

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