At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product success by collaborating with teams and exceeding buying targets.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Marks & Spencer, a leader in retail innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and wellness support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformation journey that shapes the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in menswear buying and a passion for product development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
From Merchandising and Marketing – Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning – our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time. As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results‑orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office at least three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What's in it for you
Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special:
- After completing your probationary period, you'll receive a 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third‑party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry‑leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
To stay close to customers, we expect our support teams to come into the office at least three days a week. We think that learning comes from working alongside each other, and that spending time with our teams makes us more creative and connected. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues. We may close this role early if we have enough applications for the next stage. Please submit your application as soon as possible to make sure you don't miss out.
What you'll do
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Work with Merchandising and all other relevant areas of the business to aggressively trade the product area and hit / exceed buying targets.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of M&S' customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer developed.
- Work with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual global range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer.
- Analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix.
- Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to develop appropriate supply routes.
- Provide leadership and direction to junior members of the buying team.
- Present the global range for sign‑off and effectively manage systemic elements of the buying process.
Who you are
You will be product obsessed with a commercial mindset excited to continue the M&S transformation journey to bounce back even better! Your skills and experience will include:
- Working to at least Junior Buyer or Assistant Buyer Advanced level in a menswear clothing brand with proven track record of developing and trading highly commercial ranges that exceed sales / profit targets.
- Ability to initiate and build strong relationships.
- In‑depth knowledge of cost price negotiations and global sourcing.
- Confident developing and building a comprehensive product range.
- An in‑depth knowledge of the current competitive market place.
- Basic understanding of merchandise planning.
- A digital and global mind‑set that supports the growth of international and online business.
Everyone's welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Junior Buyer Menswear employer: Marks and Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where creativity thrives and personal growth is encouraged. With benefits like a generous colleague discount, competitive holiday entitlement, and comprehensive wellbeing support, employees are empowered to excel both professionally and personally. Located in a dynamic environment, M&S offers unique opportunities for career development while being committed to making a positive impact in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Menswear
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research M&S, their products, and their values. This way, when you get that interview, you can show off your passion for their mission and how you fit into their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Junior Buyer in Menswear. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer Menswear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for menswear shine through! We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about the products and the customers we serve.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in merchandising and any relevant skills that align with our mission at M&S. We love seeing how your background fits into our vision!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so don’t be afraid to show us what you can do without fluff!
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We might close the role early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
As a Junior Buyer in Menswear, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of the products you'll be working with. Research current trends, popular styles, and customer preferences. Be ready to discuss how you would approach product selection and what makes a range commercially successful.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Marks & Spencer values collaboration, so highlight your ability to work well in a team. Share examples of past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others, whether in merchandising, design, or sourcing. This will demonstrate that you're not just a lone wolf but someone who thrives in a team environment.
✨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Expect questions about analysing historical sales data and market trends. Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you would use data to inform buying decisions. Showing that you can interpret data effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset
M&S is looking for someone with a strong commercial aim. Be ready to discuss how you would balance creativity with profitability. Think about how you can contribute to exceeding sales targets and be prepared to share ideas on how to make the product range more appealing to customers.
