At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in buying trips, manage orders, and analyse sales to drive trading.
- Company: Join MR PORTER, the ultimate destination for luxury men's fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, performance bonuses, staff discounts, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Flexible working and a fun, supportive team culture await you!
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping luxury retail and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in fashion retail buying, strong analytical skills, and a keen eye for detail.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
MR PORTER is the men’s luxury style destination, offering customers a curated assortment of fashion, fine watches, grooming and lifestyle products from the world’s most coveted designers. It delivers exceptional quality with private label, Mr P, and market-leading exclusive capsule collaborations with brand partners. MR PORTER creates unique experiences for its EIPs (Extremely Important People), with first access to products, a dedicated personal shopper and invitation-only benefits. Through content across all its platforms, it provides expert styling advice, immersive storytelling, and profiles inspiring men, places and products. Consciously Crafted, its responsible product curation, supports customers to shop with a focus on conscious consumerism. MR PORTER Health In Mind, its long-standing initiative in partnership with Movember, raises awareness of men’s mental and physical health. MR PORTER is part of LuxExperience, the leading digital, multi-brand luxury group.
MR PORTER is seeking a talented and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our dynamic Buying team. Some of the essentials for you to know are:
- Location: Our Westfield office in Shepherd’s Bush
- Department Size: 4 (Approx.)
- Reporting into: Buyer
- Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week (4 days in office)
Besides a competitive salary, we can offer you:
- Performance bonus schemes dependant on the type of role you are in.
- A pension that both you and the company contribute to.
- A portal with an array of discounts on things like theme park and cinema tickets.
- Our famous staff discount along with exclusive staff sales.
- Private healthcare for you.
- Flexible working.
- A chance to be part of a fun and caring team that support each other.
Here is a breakdown of what you’ll be doing:
- Prepare for buying trips and appointments – oversee vendor packs, attend ad-hoc appointments (deputising when needed), review sales history to inform decisions, and complete buy sheets post-appointment.
- Manage orders and pricing – raise and send orders via the YNAP system and oversee the RRP entry process, ensuring accuracy and deadline adherence.
- Monitor competitors and pricing alignment – conduct bricks-and-mortar and online competitive shops, review offer vs NAP, check deliveries, and ensure pricing is correct for every upload.
- Drive in-season trading – analyze weekly sales, propose repeats and swaps, present to Buyer and Merchandiser, liaise with vendors, and manage the repeat/swap process to maximize availability and speed of delivery.
- Lead weekly trade reporting – create trade sheets covering delivery highlights/lowlights, editorial and marketing features, and best and worst sellers.
- Support launches and on-site standards – work with Press, Marketing and Editorial on new and exclusive launches, provide updates and style input, and monitor product presentation, styling, pricing and duplication on site.
- Support team performance and projects – manage and coach the Buyer’s Admin Assistant (objectives, weekly catch-ups, efficiency and KPIs) and assist with ad-hoc projects for Buyers and the Buying Director.
The type of person we are looking for:
- Experience at a BAA or equivalent level gained in a fast-paced fashion retail buying or merchandising environment with strong administrative skills.
- Strong analytical and advanced MS Office skills, particularly in Excel, PowerPoint & Word.
- Commercial Awareness – understanding of our business, products and competition.
- Strong eye for detail and organisational skills and strives for a high level of accuracy.
- The ability to work with stringent deadlines.
- A great sense of humour, personal style and attitude.
From the moment you join the LuxExperience Group we are committed to making your journey with us inspirational and evolutionary. If you are passionate, committed and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, then please apply with a CV. LuxExperience is an equal opportunities employer, we encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We recognize and celebrate the benefits that diversity brings to our workplace, our business and our customers. We welcome and will consider all applications regardless of race and nationality, religion, color, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.
Experience Level: Entry level
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Assistant Buyer @MR PORTER in London employer: LuxExperience
At NET-A-PORTER, we pride ourselves on being a leading luxury fashion destination that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our Westfield office in London offers a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, supported by a dedicated team of experts. With competitive benefits including flexible working, private healthcare, and exclusive staff discounts, we are committed to your professional growth and well-being, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about digital media in the luxury sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer @MR PORTER 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 LuxExperience, 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 LuxExperience!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer @MR PORTER 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 LuxExperience, 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 LuxExperience 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 LuxExperience that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at LuxExperience
✨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!
