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- Tasks: Support procurement by managing supplier relationships and ensuring best service for our partners.
- Company: Join NEXT, a leading FTSE-100 retail company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in the retail industry.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or relevant experience, strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and commitment to workplace adjustments for all candidates.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
At NEXT, we are constantly evolving. Our Procurement Services team is at the heart of this growth, supporting our Total Platform Partners—including Victoria’s Secret, Reiss and FatFace—alongside our own brands like Love & Roses. We have an opportunity for an Assistant Category Buyer to join us at Head Office. In this role, you will be the bridge between our partners and suppliers, managing essential requirements for gift cards, consumables, and packaging ‘Goods Not For Resale’. If you are commercially minded and ready to work at pace, this is an incredible place to build your career.
What you’ll take on
- You will play a vital role in ensuring our partners receive the best service and value to support their expansion plans.
- Sourcing & Innovation: Identify potential suppliers and build networks to ensure we always work with best-practice partners.
- Tender Management: Prepare detailed tender documents and assessments of supplier performance to keep our operations efficient.
- Negotiation & Appraisals: Conduct financial appraisals and lead second-stage negotiations using our eSourcing tools.
- Supplier Relations: Formally measure performance against SLAs and KPIs, conducting operational reviews to ensure high standards.
- Strategic Support: Manage stakeholder expectations and act as a link between our users and suppliers to resolve any non-conformance issues.
- Financial Insight: Drive best-practice payment processes and assist our Finance team with spend analysis and budget queries.
What you’ll bring
- We are looking for a person who is knowledgeable, positive, and ready to take on responsibility.
- Education: Educated to degree level or possess relevant professional experience.
- Analytical Mindset: A strong financial understanding with the ability to analyse data and trends accurately.
- Communication: An inspiring communicator who can build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Negotiation: Proven negotiation skills and the ability to influence outcomes.
- Proactive Approach: A can-do attitude with the ability to solve problems and work on your own initiative.
- Organisation: Excellent time management and planning skills to manage multiple priorities at pace.
- Digital Skills: Proficient in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs) or Microsoft equivalent.
- Tools: Experience using eSourcing platforms.
- Procurement Knowledge: Practical understanding of the procurement lifecycle.
- Experience: Prior experience in buying or supplier management roles.
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change. We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Team Overview
Finance is where we turn ambition into action. This team protects value, funds growth, and gives leaders timely insight. From reporting to managing risk, your work keeps decisions sharp, ensuring the business stays on course and ready to take on the next big challenge.
Explore similar opportunities across our business.
Assistant Category Buyer employer: Next Careers
Contact Detail:
Next Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at NEXT or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Assistant Category Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your negotiation skills. Since this role involves a lot of supplier relations and financial appraisals, being able to demonstrate your ability to influence outcomes will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical mindset! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make decisions in past roles. This will resonate well with the team at NEXT, as they value a strong financial understanding.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the NEXT family and ready to take on the challenges ahead.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Assistant Category Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, supplier management, and negotiation skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for the role and how your analytical mindset aligns with our needs. Let us know why you’re excited about joining NEXT and how you can contribute.
Showcase Your Digital Skills: Since we use tools like Google Workspace and eSourcing platforms, make sure to mention your proficiency in these areas. If you have any specific examples of how you've used these tools effectively, share them with us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about what we do at NEXT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate a strong financial understanding. Brush up on key metrics related to procurement and be ready to discuss how you can analyse data and trends effectively. This will show your analytical mindset and readiness for the role.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since negotiation is a crucial part of this job, prepare by researching common negotiation tactics and strategies. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully influenced outcomes. This will help you showcase your proven negotiation skills during the interview.
✨Build Your Supplier Network Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with potential suppliers relevant to NEXT's categories, such as gift cards and packaging. Being able to discuss specific suppliers and how you would approach building relationships with them will demonstrate your proactive approach and sourcing skills.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a bridge between partners and suppliers, effective communication is key. Prepare to share examples of how you've built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to manage expectations and resolve issues, which will illustrate your inspiring communication style.
