Buying Assistant

Buying Assistant

Full-Time 22050 - 26950 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
IVC Evidensia

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support product launches and analyse trading data to drive commercial success.
  • Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, making a difference in pet healthcare.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work culture.
  • Other info: Hybrid role with clear pathways for career progression and ongoing learning.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that impacts pet owners and their furry friends.
  • Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in retail or commercial environments.

The predicted salary is between 22050 - 26950 £ per year.

  • Hybrid Keynsham BS31, 3 days a week
  • Hybrid Keynsham BS31, 3 days a week

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

Pet Drugs Online is one of the UK’s leading online pet pharmacies and retailers, helping pet owners access trusted medication, healthcare products and everyday essentials quickly, safely and conveniently.

As part of the inspiring vet care Group, Pet Drugs Online combines the agility of a growing ecommerce business with the strength and expertise of a leading veterinary care organisation.

Our teams play a vital role in making pet healthcare more accessible through innovation, operational excellence and outstanding customer experience.

About The Role

We're looking for a highly organised and commercially minded Buying Assistant to join our Category team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, collaborating across multiple departments, and playing a key role in bringing products to market.

As a Buying Assistant, you'll support our category trading teams in delivering commercial success and operational excellence.

You'll gain exposure to product launches, promotional planning, trading analysis, and category performance, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in Buying, Category Management, Merchandising, or Commercial Trading.

  • What You'll Be Doing
  • Coordinate the end-to-end product launch process, ensuring products are launched accurately and on time.
  • Work closely with Category, Marketing, Supply Chain, Online Trading, and other teams to deliver commercial plans.
  • Analyse sales, stock, margin, and category performance data to provide valuable commercial insights.
  • Prepare weekly trading reports and support decision-making through data-driven recommendations.
  • Manage promotional forecasts and communicate demand plans to key stakeholders.
  • Monitor competitor activity and pricing to identify market trends and opportunities.
  • Support pricing maintenance and investigate invoice discrepancies where required.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of trading processes and operational efficiencies.
  • How You'll Make a Difference

We're interested in hearing from candidates who are analytical, proactive, and confident working with data in a fast-paced commercial environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Experience within a retail, FMCG, commercial, buying, merchandising, category, or administrative environment
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.
  • Advanced Excel skills and confidence using Microsoft Office applications.
  • Ability to interpret data and turn findings into meaningful business insights.
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across teams.
  • Commercial awareness and a solutions-focused mindset.

Desirable

  • Previous experience in a Buying Assistant, Merchandising Assistant, Category Assistant, Commercial Analyst, or similar role.
  • How We’ll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we’re committed to supporting your development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

  • A role with real impact in a growing ecommerce and pet healthcare business
  • Clear career pathways with progression opportunities within Pet Drugs Online and the wider inspiring vet care Group
  • Ongoing learning and development supported by experienced colleagues and teams
  • A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, innovation and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

  • Healthcare Cash Plan
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme
  • Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you
  • Discounted staff pet care
  • Access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information.

These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.

Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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Buying Assistant employer: IVC Evidensia

Inspiring vet care is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and values-led culture that prioritises care, community, and continuous improvement. As an Area Director in the West Midlands and Black Country, you will have the autonomy to shape strategy and performance while benefiting from extensive professional development opportunities and a generous benefits package, including 6.6 weeks of annual leave and a healthcare cash plan. Join us to make a meaningful impact on patient care and team engagement in a dynamic, multi-site environment.

IVC Evidensia

Contact Details:

IVC Evidensia Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant

Get to Know Your E-commerce Community

Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like IVC Evidensia are looking for when hiring for a Buying Assistant.

Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio

In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to IVC Evidensia for the Buying Assistant, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.

Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at IVC Evidensia as a Buying Assistant, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!

Utilise Company Resources

Don’t forget to check out IVC Evidensia’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Buying Assistant.

We think you need these skills to ace Buying Assistant

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Teamwork
Compassion
Flexibility
Organizational Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at IVC Evidensia, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with IVC Evidensia's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.

Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.

Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at IVC Evidensia. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia

Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How

In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that IVC Evidensia uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.

Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results

For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.

Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics

Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!

Engage in a Conversational Style

Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at IVC Evidensia. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!