Assistant Buyer - Homeware (Temporary) in Knowsley

As an Assistant Buyer, you’ll work closely with the Buyer to ensure the department achieves sales, stock and margin targets through the development of the product range, building and maintaining strong working relationships with the supplier base.

Strategy

• Work alongside the Buyer to provide defined reports that will support creation of strategy.
• For a defined product range, undertake market and trend research and analysis to create a strategy proposal.
• Have an up‑to‑date knowledge and understanding of the Divisional and overall Matalan strategy.

Range Development for defined product range

• Work alongside Buyer & Merchandising team to develop shape of the range ensuring alignment with the overall departmental strategy & KPI’s.
• Work alongside Buyer and Designer to interpret the trends and develop commercial ranges within the agreed strategy framework.
• Pro‑actively bring insight and ideas to support development of wider range.
• Present specific ranges in a relevant and impactful way ensuring correct samples are used and all product delivers the agreed margins with support from the Buyer.
• Ensure pricing is well benchmarked and in line with company strategy.
• Have full knowledge and understanding of the keyline process.

Trading

• Using Monday Trading Reports be able to read and analyse Trade.
• Work with the TAB to ensure data and samples are pulled for Trade meetings on time.
• Highlight Best & Worst to the buyer alongside newness, problem lines and identifying opportunities alongside creation of a supporting commentary – done as part of weekly Trade and at sign off.
• For department, have knowledge of keylines, NOOS lines and event lines.
• Work alongside the Merchandising team to ensure the critical path is followed and tracked, flagging any issues or opportunities to the Buyer.
• Conduct regular shopping and benchmarking trips highlighting opportunities, price architecture and VM principles.
• Following the correct procedure, ensure regular store visits are conducted.
• Gather relevant feedback to report back to the team.

Suppliers

• Pro‑actively build and maintain positive and professional working relationships with key suppliers.
• Ensure communication with suppliers is relevant, regular and clear.

Divisional Support

• Ensure preparation for selections, sign offs and supplier meetings is accurate, organised and completed to a high standard.
• Clear understanding of Marketing protocol and needs.
• Clear understanding of packaging requirements for defined range.
• Deputise for the buyer as and when required.
• Build and maintain good relationships with the TAB population, acting as a role model and providing support / mentorship as needed.
• Understand and as required, be able to facilitate the running of fit sessions.

Qualifications

• Experienced within a Trainee or Assistant Buying role, preferably within fashion retail.
• Knowledge of key trends and market.
• Commercially aware.
• Ability to work independently to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Experience of development and coaching is essential.

We know as a team, we are stronger together – we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open‑mindedness and growth.

Benefits

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service.
• Thrive Recognition Scheme.
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust.
• Life Assurance.
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers.
• Pension Scheme.
• Access to a wide range of career development.
• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business.