Assistant Sourcing Specialist in Knowsley

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting the product purchaser to manage the key line process including utilisation of e-auction technology.
• Creating strong relationships across the trading floor.
• Developing strong supplier relationships.
• Taking ownership of own key lines and supplier negotiation area.
• Creation of data summary sheets with excellent level of accuracy.
• Manage the sending out of tech packs and samples to all suppliers working with the Trainee Product Purchaser.
• Assisting with preparation of any business E Auctions alongside Product Purchasers.
• Help prepare and review any relevant E Auction analysis and file.
• Assist with supplier face-to-face meetings and auctions with a growth plan of owning an area and negotiating that area with the Product Purchaser overseeing.
• Support the product purchaser with updating of any central documents.
• Support Product Purchaser on letter of intent/email confirmations.
• Manage and organise supplier matrix.
• Help prepare keyline one-page analysis after each keyline season.
• Support Product Purchaser with supplier communication and negotiation.

Commercial

• Partake in benchmarking aimed at quality and country of manufacture preparing presentation to show findings.
• Support any ad hoc projects needed from the Product Purchasers.
• Gain fabric and sustainability knowledge through attending training courses and liaising with buying teams/fabric team.
• Support team by having packaging knowledge for all product areas by working with the packaging teams.
• Support team by having knowledge of freight rates and duty by country of manufacture by working with the imports team/using range plans.
• Oversee and support sample management of key lines.
• Sample management of key lines ensuring we have samples for each key line from suppliers negotiating.

Supplier Management

• Manage supplier scorecards including set up and regular tracking.
• Support on supplier strategy.
• Support with supplier meeting set ups and any follow up as required.

Team

• Support Product Purchaser to deliver KPI’s.
• Work with Product Purchaser and Trainee Product Purchaser on all relevant tasks and projects.

Qualifications

• Background of buying multi product areas for a minimum of 1 year.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel / PowerPoint.
• Understanding of Supply Chain Management – including raw material and production trends.
• Knowledge of sourcing strategies, supplier management and purchasing best practice.
• Strong negotiation and communications skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally with a focus on collaborating, tackling issues and managing risk.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, stakeholders and deadlines in a time pressured environment whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Analytical thinking with the ability to provide information and analysis in a clear, concise and impactful way.

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.