Assistant Buyer

Creativity is Hobbycraft’s reason for being, so when you join our fantastic team, you will be surrounded by like-minded imaginative people. We believe that working together and embracing new and innovative ideas are the best way to make our colleagues feel part of something.

Salary - £27kpa dependent on experience - Pension with a 4% contribution, 25 days holiday increasing every year, 25% discount in our stores.

This is a full-time role, working 37.5 hours. Our core business hours are Monday to Friday – 10am to 3pm with a flexible approach to start and finish times. Our hybrid working model is 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home.

Key Purpose of Role

To provide administrative and process support to the Buyers, Senior Buyers and other team members as required. You’ll need to be adaptive, accurate and efficient in the delivery of various activities. To assist the Buyers in the active management of all processes within the buying team and work collaboratively with other cross-functional departments which may also include working with our teams internationally in Hong Kong and India. The role will also require working at pace and being able to handle multiple activities all at once, whilst prioritising your workload.

Accountabilities

• Providing sales analysis on a weekly basis as directed
• Updating and maintaining trackers for sales performance
• Ensuring trackers for New Lines are up to date
• Co-ordinate all samples
• Approving POS
• Assist with Store checks on launch days
• Attend Activity planning meetings, ad hoc promo meetings and seasonal meetings
• Conduct regular store visits and comp shops
• Assisting with product programmes and adherence to processes
• Requesting NLF and liaising with suppliers
• Providing information for updating of internal databases
• Providing accurate information to the Commercial Database Team (New lines, price changes and promotions)
• Ensure that filing of all documents within the department is complete and accurate
• Manage samples, briefed and flow of information in accordance with own brand growth strategy

Performance measures

• Timely and accurate completion of database maintenance set by others via Outlook task lists and as agreed verbally. Number of errors to be maintained at minimal level.
• Accurate and timely circulation of reports from company systems. Records maintained in an accurate and timely manner. Number of errors to be maintained at a minimal level.
• Provide a clear, timely and well-organised flow of information within, to and from the department to ensure the Buying Department is able to support the wider business in an effective manner.
• Hubnet and promo listings to be circulated in an accurate and timely manner.
• Provide effective communication to and from suppliers and DC in an accurate and timely manner.
• Meeting minutes, clerical and administrative support provided in an accurate and timely manner.

Skills and Attributes

• Accuracy & Quality - Seeks to clarify and define own role and what is expected. Checks the accuracy of information and the quality of own work.
• Analytical thinking - Capable of simplifying complicated issues and delivering required standards of execution.
• Communication & Influencing - Is clear and concise. Uses standard formats to present information and ideas; applies logical order and structure.
• Drives Improvement - Sets personal standards for day-to-day activities which are those set by others and uses own methods to measure outcomes against them. Rises to challenges and seeks feedback in order to learn and repeat.
• Forward planning - Reviews tasks allocated in order to achieve priorities. Anticipates peaks and troughs with own workload and delivers against all deadlines.
• Professionalism - Demonstrates a working knowledge and proficiency in theory and practice. Works to agreed standards with some supervision and review. Resolves non-standard situations, providing technical and/or operational advice and guidance to others.
• Team working & ownership - Is proud to work for HobbyCraft. Talks about ‘we’ not ‘they’. Accepts group decisions and helps colleagues under pressure.

25% Discount Card for Hobbycraft Stores. Generous holiday with an increase each holiday year. A creative working environment. Company pension contribution. Cycle to Work Scheme. Retail Trust - Employee Support Programme. Colleague Social Events.

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us and let us know what adjustments you may need.

At Hobbycraft we celebrate the joy of crafting, and we celebrate all of our colleagues and customers. As a retailer, we have a diverse colleague base from a broad range of all communities. Our colleagues are recruited for their skill, passion, love of craft and customer service, which is also reflected in our customer base. It is this skill and love of crafting which defines them. Hobbycraft is an equal opportunity employer who takes equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging very seriously. We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure not only compliance but also best practice from an employment perspective.

Hobbycraft are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status.