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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Junior Buyer to create exciting babywear products that customers will love.
- Company: Be part of John Lewis, the UK's largest employee-owned business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fashion by driving sales and shaping product ranges.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and product development, with a passion for fashion trends.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the role
We have a great opportunity to join us as a Junior Buyer, Babywear, Own Brand to deliver elevated, relevant and modern product ranges to delight and excite our customers. This is a dynamic role centred on our own brand product development, requiring you to react with pace to changes in customer trends and market conditions. You will be directly responsible for driving sales and profitability for your categories. This will require strong negotiation skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a matrix team, working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver the final product.
Compensation and contract
- Expected Salary up to £45,000 (depending on experience).
- This position is a fixed term contract until the end of January 2027.
Working pattern/flexible working
The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The normal place of work for this role is our London Central Office in Pimlico. The expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week in the office as team collaboration is critical in this role - core days will vary across teams.
Assessments will take place virtually W/C 16th and 23rd February.
Key responsibilities
- Working with your Merchandiser, you will analyse commercial input and market data from all channels to develop a category assortment that appeals to the John Lewis & Partners customer base.
- Monitor Partner NPS and customer satisfaction metrics to gauge the impact of assortment decisions on overall satisfaction while driving sales revenue growth through effective assortment planning and promotional strategies.
- You will work collaboratively with all relevant specialist functions such as Marketing, Online and Store Design to deliver a compelling brand portfolio.
- Be accountable for making decisions on the product assortment: development, sourcing, brand positioning, price structure and margins in line with category and customer strategy.
- Presenting your product categories to Buying Manager, Merch Manager, Design Cat Lead along with the Fashion leadership team.
- In collaboration with merchandising, you will need to make season trading and volume decisions along with the commercial terms and product lifecycle with the suppliers.
- Working with the Technologist on your category to focus on innovation, fit and quality to deliver the right product for our customers.
Essential skills and experience
- Tangible experience in buying, product development, range building, supplier negotiation and critical path.
- Experience of managing team relationships across a variety of commercial terms, demonstration of a collaborative approach.
- A positive approach to continuous development of yourself and other partners within the team, sharing knowledge to junior members.
- Passion for product development, fashion and trends.
- Solution orientated to problem solve and react.
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience of Babywear category.
- Customer centric and react to changes in trade and market conditions at pace to maximise sales.
Important points to note
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Junior Buyer Babywear, Own Brand in City of Westminster employer: John Lewis Partnership
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Babywear, Own Brand in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how they align with your passion for babywear and product development. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Junior Buyer, you'll need to showcase your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at John Lewis & Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer Babywear, Own Brand in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Babywear: When you're writing your application, let your love for babywear and fashion shine through! Share any relevant experiences or insights that demonstrate your enthusiasm for the category. We want to see that you’re not just applying for a job, but that you genuinely care about the products you'll be working with.
Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit: This role is all about teamwork, so make sure to mention any past experiences where you've successfully worked with others. Whether it’s negotiating with suppliers or collaborating with marketing teams, we want to know how you thrive in a matrix environment. Show us that you can bring people together to achieve great results!
Be Data-Driven: As a Junior Buyer, you'll need to analyse market data and customer trends. In your application, include examples of how you've used data to make decisions in the past. This will show us that you understand the importance of being analytical and can react quickly to changes in the market.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to this specific role. Mention key responsibilities from the job description and explain how your skills align with them. We appreciate when candidates take the extra step to connect their experience with what we’re looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Know Your Product
Before the interview, dive deep into the Babywear category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, popular brands, and customer preferences. This will not only show your passion for product development but also demonstrate your ability to react to market changes.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past experiences where you successfully negotiated with suppliers or collaborated with teams. Highlight how these experiences can translate into driving sales and profitability in the Junior Buyer role.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research John Lewis & Partners' values and mission. Be ready to discuss how you align with their focus on collaboration, kindness, and respect. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’re a good fit for their team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role, such as handling a sudden change in customer trends. Prepare your thought process on how you would approach these situations, showcasing your solution-oriented mindset.
