THE OPPORTUNITY
We're looking for a creative, commercially minded and trend-driven Junior Buyer to join our talented Buying team, helping to shape exciting new collections across our growing global fashion and lifestyle brands.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We're looking for a creative, commercially minded and trend-driven Junior Buyer to join our talented Buying team, helping to shape exciting new collections across our growing global fashion and lifestyle brands.
Working closely with our Buying Manager, Design, Merchandising and wider teams, you'll play a key role in developing innovative, customer-focused product ranges that reflect our brand identities, respond to emerging trends and deliver commercial success across our B2B and B2C channels.
You will make an impact by identifying new product opportunities, supporting seasonal range planning, managing supplier relationships and overseeing product development from initial concept through to final approval. You'll combine your passion for products and trends with strong commercial awareness, using sales insights, competitor research and supplier negotiations to help deliver inspiring collections at the right price, quality and time.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Assistant Buyer ready to take the next step, or an existing Junior Buyer looking to develop their career within a fast-paced, creative and growing global business.
The role is Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. You'll enjoy the exciting buzz of our friendly office in Banbury, Oxfordshire three times a week on average with the flexibility to work from home for the remaining two days. This may increase to 5 days a week during peak periods.
BEHIND THE BRANDS
We’re a family-run, entrepreneurial company with an exciting pace of life and a bright and friendly team. We are passionate about creating stunning products with a personal touch and innovating our business behind the scenes. We value creativity, collaboration and integrity.
How You'll Contribute
- Supporting the Buying Manager in developing and delivering seasonal product ranges that align with brand identity, customer needs and commercial objectives.
- Identifying new product opportunities through trend forecasting, competitor research and market insights, bringing fresh and creative ideas to our collections.
- Working closely with Design and Merchandising to develop product briefs, build balanced ranges and manage option plans in line with budgets and product strategy.
- Managing assigned product categories throughout the development process, ensuring samples, approvals and product launches remain on track against critical path deadlines.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating product costs within agreed parameters to achieve quality, pricing and margin targets.
- Using sales performance, customer insights and market trends to support buying decisions, pricing recommendations and future range development.
- Coordinating product sampling, quality control and compliance processes, ensuring products meet our standards and any concerns are escalated appropriately.
- Maintaining accurate buying documentation, including option plans, pricing calculations, product specifications and handover information.
- Working collaboratively with PR, Marketing, Creative, Web, Visual Merchandising and Retail Operations to ensure successful product launches across all channels.
- Monitoring supplier performance and identifying opportunities to improve product quality, cost efficiencies and ways of working.
- Presenting product updates, range proposals and commercial insights to key stakeholders across the business.
- Supporting, coaching and developing junior members of the Buying team, promoting a positive and collaborative working environment.
- Identifying opportunities to improve buying processes and supporting additional projects that contribute to the continued growth of our brands.
THE TALENT YOU'LL BRING
- Previous experience at experienced/senior Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer level, ideally within a fashion, jewellery, accessories or lifestyle retail environment.
- A genuine passion for products, fashion and emerging trends, with a creative eye and strong understanding of customer preferences.
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to interpret sales data, understand pricing structures and make informed buying recommendations.
- A solid understanding of buying cycles, product development processes and critical path management.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple product ranges, priorities and deadlines.
- Confident communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Exceptional attention to detail, particularly when managing product specifications, pricing and buying documentation.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, with confidence working with data and commercial reports.
- Experience managing suppliers, negotiating costs and supporting product quality processes would be advantageous.
- Confidence presenting product ideas, commercial insights and recommendations to stakeholders.
- A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to take ownership and drive results.
- Previous experience supporting or mentoring junior team members would be desirable.
- A positive can-do attitude and the ability to thrive in a creative, fast-paced and evolving business.
PERFECTLY PACKAGED
- A competitive salary DOE
- 33 days holiday rising to 35 with length of service inclusive of bank holiday
- A broad benefits package including our staff favourite – a very generous staff discount across both our brands. See all of our benefits on our careers portal
- Opportunities to make an impact as well as learn and develop further
- An innovative and friendly workplace with a team we’re proud to be part of. Find out more about us and our culture on our careers portal.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We strive to be the best in our field and we know that happens by hiring a diverse team and encouraging everyone to be their authentic selves when working with us. We don’t hire based on cultures, preferences or personalities – it’s what you bring to the team that counts.
Junior Buyer in Banbury employer: Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton
Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on professional development, the company offers numerous growth opportunities and encourages a proactive approach to HR practices, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers. Located in a vibrant area, employees enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while being part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence.
Contact Details:
Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer in Banbury
✨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 Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton, 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 Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton!
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 Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton, 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 Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton 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 Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joma Jewellery & Katie Loxton
✨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!
