At a Glance
- Tasks: Help shape the beauty world at Liberty London through product selection and trend research.
- Company: Join a historic brand known for innovation and craftsmanship in the beauty industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to mentor and support junior colleagues.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that celebrates individuality and creativity in beauty.
- Qualifications: Retail buying experience, strong analytical skills, and a passion for beauty.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Introduction:
Founded in 1875, our long history has been built on innovation, craftsmanship and above all, incredible talent. Born from the adventurous spirit of our founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, we remain true to our heritage. From our fulfilment centres to our flagship store, passion, vision and dynamism are part of our DNA – and that extends to our team.
Job Purpose:
As an Assistant Buyer, Beauty at Liberty London, you’ll play a key part in shaping our beauty world: where creativity, heritage, and discovery meet. Working closely with the Buyer, you’ll help build an assortment that celebrates innovation, craftsmanship, and individuality - from independent fragrance ateliers to global skincare icons.
You’ll ensure the range feels both discerning and daring, reflecting Liberty’s role as a destination for the Artistic Shopper. You will be responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the category, coaching and managing Buying Administrators, supporting supplier relationships, analysing performance, and helping to deliver inspiring product launches that delight our customers and drive profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Buyer in building a trend-led, commercially strong assortment that meets customer needs and brand standards.
- Contribute to product selection, range planning, supplier management, trend research and performance analysis.
- Oversee daily category operations, including product setup, launch coordination, and stock management.
- Coach and support Buying Administrators, ensuring smooth execution of launches, data accuracy and supplier communications.
- Analyse weekly trading, highlighting opportunities and risks to optimise sales, margin and stock.
- Partner with cross-functional teams - including Marketing, Digital, Merchandising and Retail - to deliver seamless launches and campaigns.
- Support commercial planning and supplier negotiations, contributing to joint business plans and promotional activity.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer behaviour to identify new opportunities.
- Champion a collaborative, proactive and high-performing team culture.
About You:
- Previous retail buying experience at Assistant Buyer level (beauty, cosmetics or luxury preferred).
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
- Confident with budgets, forecasting and Excel.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills with internal and external partners.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail; able to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
- Creative and trend-aware, with a genuine passion for beauty and the Liberty brand.
- A supportive team player, able to coach and mentor junior colleagues.
Assistant Buyer, Beauty in London employer: Liberty.
Liberty London is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and creative work culture, where innovation and craftsmanship are celebrated. As an Assistant Buyer in the heart of London, you will have the opportunity to grow your career within a historic brand that values individuality and artistic expression, while enjoying benefits such as professional development, a collaborative team environment, and the chance to work with renowned beauty brands. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about delivering unique products and experiences to our discerning customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer, Beauty in London
✨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 Liberty., 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 Liberty.!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer, Beauty in London
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 Liberty., 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 Liberty. 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 Liberty. that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liberty.
✨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!
