At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with brands to create stylish womenswear collections that delight customers.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fashion retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in branded womenswear and strong relationship-building skills.
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. Please note this is a 12 month fixed term contract. Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Benefits
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
- Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
What you’ll do
As the Womenswear Branded Junior Buyer you will be working closely with our 3rd Party Brand Partners to create the optimum product assortment that exceeds customer expectations.
Key accountabilities
- Create positive partnerships with our brands, establishing strong direct relationships quickly and leveraging these to develop a long‑term benefit to M&S
- Act as the key interface with all brands to deliver the best product choice, customer experience and ensure ease of working across all key retail levers
- Ensure product selection and size of offer adheres to key principles of price stretch, range scale and choice that compliments M&S Brands and customer aspirations
- Be the ambassador of the brand internally by liaising with cross functional departments
- Constantly monitor sales and range offering to ensure commercial and customer aspirations are potentialised, liaising with brands to curate and amend accordingly
- Accountable for ensuring all contractual, business process, business plans and critical paths are shared, up to date and complete
Who you are
- Experience of working in branded Womenswear to Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer level, with a strong product affinity
- Strong relationship building and communication skills to foster collaborative and effective engagement with brand partners
- Open to change and playing an important role in establishing the adoption of 3rd Party Brands within the complex and evolving M&S world
- Appreciation of internal cross functional departments and key interactions required to establish integrated processes and ease of working
- Strong commercial acumen – understanding how price, margin and costs impact the Brand and M&S profitability
- Understanding and awareness of the competitor landscape
Everyone’s welcome. M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That’s why we’re revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There’s never been a better time to be part of our team. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.
Junior Buyer Womenswear Brands - 12 Month FTC in City of Westminster employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Junior Buyer in Womenswear Brands, you'll benefit from competitive perks such as a generous colleague discount, tailored training, and strong family policies, all while contributing to our mission of delivering quality and value to millions. Join us in a role that not only supports your professional growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Womenswear Brands - 12 Month FTC in City of Westminster
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer Womenswear Brands - 12 Month FTC in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Marks & Spencer Plc:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Marks & Spencer Plc! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Marks & Spencer Plc offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Marks & Spencer Plc and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
