At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with brands to create amazing womenswear collections that wow customers.
- Company: Join the iconic Marks & Spencer team, known for its commitment to quality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement in a diverse workplace.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping fashion trends and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in branded womenswear and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 and measures:
- 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:
- Your skills and experience will include:
- 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.
Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process. 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 employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Junior Buyer in Womenswear, you will benefit from strong partnerships with renowned brands, ample opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Located in a vibrant setting, M&S fosters a culture that values employee contributions and encourages flexible working arrangements, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Womenswear Brands - 12 Month FTC
✨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
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:Don’t forget to personalise your application for MARKS&SPENCER! 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
✨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 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 and contribute positively during your temporary stint.