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- Tasks: Assist the Buyer in achieving sales and stock targets through product range development.
- Company: Matalan is a dynamic retail company focused on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, life assurance, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team that values creativity and personal growth in a vibrant retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in a Trainee or Assistant Buying role, preferably in fashion retail, with strong interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Apply early as the position may close if a high volume of applications is received.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
About Matalan: From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, Matalan is ever-evolving. 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. We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know. In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
Benefits: In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core 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
About You:
- 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
About the Role: 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 & KPIs
- 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
Contact Detail:
Matalan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Register Your Interest Assistant Buyer in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Matalan's brand and values. Understanding their culture of inclusivity and teamwork will help you align your approach during interviews, showcasing how you can contribute to their environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the role and the company, which you can leverage during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current fashion trends and market analysis. Being able to discuss recent developments in the industry during your interview will demonstrate your commercial awareness and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully worked under tight deadlines or built strong relationships with suppliers in previous roles. This will help you illustrate your relevant experience effectively during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Register Your Interest Assistant Buyer in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in buying roles, particularly within fashion retail. Emphasise your knowledge of key trends and market awareness, as well as any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Assistant Buyer position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the retail industry and your understanding of Matalan's values. Mention how your skills and experiences make you a great fit for the role, and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the team.
Showcase Interpersonal Skills: In your application, highlight your excellent interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully communicated and built relationships with suppliers or colleagues in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Assistant Buyer position.
Demonstrate Analytical Ability: Include examples of how you've used data analysis in past roles to inform buying decisions or strategy proposals. This could involve discussing your experience with trading reports or market research, which are key aspects of the job.
How to prepare for a job interview at Matalan
✨Show Your Fashion Knowledge
Make sure to brush up on current fashion trends and market insights. Being able to discuss recent developments in the industry will demonstrate your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills
Since the role involves building relationships with suppliers and team members, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully communicated and collaborated in previous positions.
✨Prepare for Strategy Discussions
Familiarise yourself with Matalan's overall strategy and think about how you can contribute to it. Be ready to discuss how you would approach range development and market analysis.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
The role requires analysing trading reports and identifying opportunities. Prepare to discuss any relevant experience you have with data analysis and how it has influenced your decision-making in past roles.
