At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in developing customer-focused product ranges and manage supplier relationships.
- Company: N Brown, a leader in inclusive fashion and home products.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, annual bonus, mental health support, and colleague discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a vibrant office location in Manchester.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the retail world.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or experience in buying, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Here at N Brown, we champion inclusivity by making our customers look and feel amazing. We don't believe that age, size, shape or background should stop anyone from feeling confident, stylish and happy with the way they look and feel. With our industry leading expertise in creating fashion that fits, we've been proudly breaking down these barriers for over 150 years. We help our customers to express themselves with stylish products, helpful services and flexible finance. Now, we're moving forward together, embracing innovation and new technology, to continue to delight our customers. You will be part of our home team who have a strong strategy to grow home and are passionate about offering home products for our customers.
Working here you'll explore everything the world of digital retail has to offer - asking questions, trying new things and chasing new opportunities. Combine this curiosity with the freedom to make your own decisions, take charge of projects and work flexibly, and you've got the perfect place to show your skills and learn new ones. It's fast and furious here at times, but this just means something new and exciting is always on the way. So, if you collaborate, think on your feet, embrace innovation and love rising to a challenge, your work with us will have a serious impact on the business, your career and our customers' lives.
The Assistant Buyer Level 2 role reports to a Senior Category Manager, working together to deliver the best ranges for our customer, as well as operating in the wider team structure such as Sourcing, Product Innovation and Merchandising. The role will have some degree of buying responsibility and is the first step to becoming a Buyer. The aim is to deliver a profitable customer centric range and provide day to day support to a Buyer.
Assistant Buyer
What you'll be responsible for as an Assistant Buyer
- Work with the Senior Category Manager on developing a customer centric range in a fast pace environment, working with some of the largest Tech brands in the world
- Supplier liaison/relationships and cost price negotiation
- Responsibility for critical path management
- Day to day development and motivation of BAA's under the guidance of the Senior Category Manager
- Supporting the delivery of margin targets
- Range planning and building, supporting Senior Category Manager
- Reviewing weekly sales, with a focus on the best and worst sellers and trade actions
- Monitoring the market and customer activity through competitive shops, sales and trend analysis
- Attend and contribute to buying meeting
- Regular website checks for product set up issues and fixing (where necessary)
What you will need to succeed as an Assistant Buyer
- Relevant degree in buying or the ability to demonstrate the required level of skills through work-experience
- Experience working as a Buying Admin Assistant or similar.
- Excellent administrative, communication and organisation skills
- Driven & motivated
- Enthusiasm for product and interiors
- Retail experience essential
What's in it for you?
- 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
- Annual bonus scheme
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
- Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
- Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
- A range of financial wellbeing support
- Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
- Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
- Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
- Paid volunteer time - all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice
Ways of Working
- We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you're in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we're perfectly located, plus we're surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!
- Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5-days. We don't have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business.
- Our promise to you:
- We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?
As soon as we receive your application, we'll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!
Employees in our business may have access to our customers' personal data therefore for a number of our roles, offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individual from obtaining a position with N Brown Group.
Assistant Buyer Home And Tech in Manchester employer: N Brown
At N Brown, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Quality Lead role within our innovative Castle project team. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing you to thrive in a hybrid working environment while enjoying generous benefits such as enhanced maternity leave, mental health support, and a commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities. Located in Manchester's Northern Quarter, you'll be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values quality and encourages a pioneering spirit in developing cutting-edge financial services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer Home And Tech in Manchester
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like N Brown, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like N Brown!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at N Brown, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at N Brown and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show N Brown that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at N Brown
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
