At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier communication, track orders, and launch new products.
- Company: Fast-growing distributor of innovative food and drink brands.
- Benefits: Free parking, team lunches, training, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Gain exposure to commercial negotiation and supply chain management.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and kickstart your career in buying and operations.
- Qualifications: Strong academic background, organised, and eager to learn.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ per year.
We’re looking for a bright, highly organised graduate to join our commercial team as a B uying & Brand Operations Assistant.
This is a varied, hands‑on role working across buying, supplier management, product launches and commercial operations.
You’ll work closely with our founder and senior team and, as you develop, take increasing ownership of supplier relationships and purchasing.
Mahalo Supplies is a fast‑growing distributor of challenger food and drink brands, supplying independent retailers, farm shops, delis, food halls and garden centres across the UK.
We work with an evolving portfolio of emerging brands from the UK and overseas, helping them reach a growing network of retail customers.
The Role
You’ll be involved in
- Managing day‑to‑day communication with suppliers across the UK and Europe.
- Raising and tracking purchase orders through to delivery.
- Launching new products and maintaining accurate product and pricing information.
- Coordinating supplier promotions and marketing activity.
- Preparing reports and analysis to support commercial decisions and negotiations.
- Working across sales, warehouse and finance to resolve supplier and stock issues.
- Identifying opportunities to improve and automate our processes.
As your experience develops, we’d expect you to take increasing responsibility for suppliers and become an important part of the commercial team.
About You
Previous buying experience isn’t essential, but we are looking for someone with strong academic ability and the potential to develop quickly.
You’ll need to be
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Numerate and comfortable working with data.
- Commercially curious and a quick learner.
- Confident communicating with suppliers and colleagues.
- Comfortable managing several priorities at once.
- Proactive and able to see problems through to resolution.
- Interested in using technology and AI to work more effectively.
- You’ll work with tools including
Excel, Google Workspace, Shopify, Mintsoft and Xero.
Previous experience with these isn’t required.
What You’ll Learn
The role provides broad exposure to
Buying & commercial negotiation | Supply chain | Supplier management | Product launches | FMCG & wholesale | Brand & trade marketing | Commercial analysis
This is a great foundation for someone interested in developing a career in buying, commercial operations or supply chain.
- What We’re Offering
- Free on‑site parking.
- Regular team lunches and product tastings.
- Training and development.
- Progression opportunities as the business grows.
We’re looking for someone capable, curious and exceptionally organised who wants to develop quickly and become a key part of the team.
If that sounds like you, we’d be interested to hear from you.
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Buying & Brand Operations Assistant in Brentwood employer: Mahalo Supplies
Mahalo Supplies is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their career in buying and brand operations. With a vibrant work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from hands-on experience, regular team lunches, and opportunities for professional growth as the company expands. Located in the heart of the UK, the role offers a unique chance to engage with emerging food and drink brands while developing valuable skills in supplier management and commercial operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying & Brand Operations Assistant in Brentwood
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
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✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Mahalo Supplies!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
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We think you need these skills to ace Buying & Brand Operations Assistant in Brentwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Mahalo Supplies, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mahalo Supplies
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Mahalo Supplies’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
