Junior Buyer (Softs)

Junior Buyer (Softs)

City of London Full-Time 28800 - 43200 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support product development and drive sales by understanding customer needs.
  • Company: Join a feel-good fashion brand with over 55 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 40% staff discount, private healthcare, and extra leave on your birthday.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in fashion while developing your career in a fun environment.
  • Qualifications: Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer is preferred.
  • Other info: Flexible working patterns and a commitment to inclusion and diversity.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 Β£ per year.

Overview

We\\\’re the feel-good fashion brand making style accessible and fun for over 55 years, on our website, mobile app and over 300 stores in the UK.

By living our values – we play to win, customer obsessed, we are one and it starts with me – we deliver That New Look Feeling for our customers and each other.

The Role: The role of the Junior Buyer is to put the customer requirements at the centre of the product offer, to support the development and delivery of a commercial and profitable range that maximises sales opportunity. This role reports into the Senior Buyer.

What\\\’s in it for you

  • 40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year
  • Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers
  • Private pension scheme
  • Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you
  • All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one
  • Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.
  • Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave.
  • Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans
  • Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme
  • We\\\’re proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children\\\’s Trust

What you\\\’ll be doing

Planning

  • Understanding the Business Strategy and how that impacts your department
  • Influencing the pricing strategy and price point policy for ranges in conjunction with the Merchandiser
  • Applying knowledge of the current competitive marketplace and trends to drive the direction of the department
  • Capacity planning proposing the production capacity required to meet changing demands for the product
  • Solid understanding of the Department\\\’s current Customer insights, Market Share and opportunities
  • Applying New Look brand and sub-brand strategy to product and range decisions within own area
  • Working in conjunction with Marketing and E-Comm to identify opportunities for your department
  • Developing pricing strategy

Buying

  • Working with design to develop brief and product, providing focused, clear development direction to supplier base
  • Managing and singing off product specification packs, thinking creatively to meet the Critical Path
  • Negotiating the best cost price to achieve departmental margin targets
  • Understanding product trends and interpreting them where relevant into product areas
  • Developing the right product at the right time, in line with the departmental design brief to meet customer requirements
  • Utilising Open to Buy (OTB) through product development
  • Building Ranges to option framework to maximise sales and profit and to offer the customer the best assortment
  • Understanding the best sourcing route and Supplier for product whilst developing a short lead time route for trading
  • Monitoring Critical Path on Commitment to insure intake and distribution targets are met
  • Highlighting trial product opportunities to maximise future sales and reduce risk
  • Working with Garment Tech to complete fit sessions in order to develop blocks and fit, that reflects design input and customer trends
  • Agreeing packaging requirements and presentation of product in line with the Critical Path

Who you are

Knowledge and Experience

  • Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer / Junior Buyer within a major retailer / department within Clothing (Softs would be ideal)

Minimum level of education or qualifications

  • Fashion Qualification / Other degree desirable

Measures / Key Performance Indicators

  • A balanced, commercial departmental range bought in line with the Critical Path
  • Delivery of Profit Margin target
  • A motivated and supported team
  • To represent our New Look Values

Why New Look?

We care about you and the planet and believe fashion should be a force for positive change. We celebrate inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We\\\’re proud of our inclusive culture and our talented team members who embrace our shared purpose, behaviours and values.

We prioritise development, offering training to support your progression, so you can be your absolute best and achieve your goals.

We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer, our colleagues work a range of patterns. If you have a specific pattern in mind, we\\\’re keen to discuss this with you in line with the output needed for the role.

Please ensure that your CV is in simple format e.g. Microsoft Word when applying using your CV to ensure smooth application process.

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Junior Buyer (Softs) employer: New Look

At New Look, we are not just a fashion retailer; we are a community that values inclusivity, personal growth, and environmental responsibility. As a Junior Buyer, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises your development with comprehensive training and flexible working patterns, all while enjoying fantastic benefits like a generous staff discount and extra leave on your birthday. Join us in making fashion accessible and fun, while contributing to a positive change in the industry.
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Contact Detail:

New Look Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer (Softs)

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research New Look's values, products, and recent trends. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your past experiences relate to the Junior Buyer role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer (Softs)

Customer Insight Analysis
Pricing Strategy Development
Market Trend Analysis
Capacity Planning
Product Specification Management
Negotiation Skills
Product Development
Open to Buy (OTB) Management
Critical Path Monitoring
Collaboration with Design and Marketing
Understanding of Sourcing Routes
Fashion Industry Knowledge
Communication Skills
Team Motivation

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Junior Buyer role. Highlight any relevant experience in buying or fashion, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of customer insights and market trends!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about fashion and how you can contribute to our mission at New Look. Be sure to mention how you embody our values and what makes you a great fit for the team.

Keep It Simple: When submitting your application, ensure your CV is in a simple format like Microsoft Word. This helps us process your application smoothly and ensures we don’t miss any of your fantastic qualifications!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and allows us to get to know you better. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at New Look

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s values and product range. Understand how they position themselves in the market and what makes their brand unique. This will help you align your answers with their ethos and show that you're genuinely interested.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Be ready to discuss your previous experience as an Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer. Prepare specific examples of how you've influenced pricing strategies or developed product ranges. Use metrics to highlight your successes, like how you maximised sales or improved margins.

✨Ask Smart Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics. Inquire about how the Junior Buyer collaborates with design and marketing, or ask about the challenges they face in the current market. This shows your enthusiasm and strategic thinking.

✨Dress the Part

Since this is a fashion brand, make sure your outfit reflects your understanding of style. Choose something that aligns with their brand image while still being professional. This not only boosts your confidence but also demonstrates your fit for the company culture.

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