Assistant Buyer (Seraphine) in London

At NEXT Wholly Owned Brands, we’re a collective of fashion and lifestyle brands. From our beginnings with Lipsy in 1998, to becoming part of the UK’s largest fashion retailer, NEXT, in 2008 we’ve evolved into a group of bold, design-led brands, each with its unique identity. At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.

Who are Seraphine? Known for its innovative and stylish clothing designed to help women feel confident and retain their personal style during pregnancy and motherhood. Designed by an in-house team of maternity experts, many of whom are mothers, the brand emphasizes the importance of form, fit, and comfort in its products.

Role Purpose

The Assistant Buyer supports the Buyer in the development of the product range, contributing to the creative direction of the department by utilizing strong commercial knowledge. This role acts as a bridge between operational support and strategic development, overseeing the growth of the Buying Assistant while ensuring all product development meets key critical path milestones.

Role Responsibilities

• Product Development & Range Management
  • Research and identify key trends through catwalks, blogs, and trade shows to assist the Buyer in selecting and developing product opportunities.
  • Drive the product development process from initial source to final approval, ensuring all items are developed within margin requirements.
  • Oversee and manage the bought range, working in partnership with the Buyer to introduce new ideas and commercial solutions.
  • Understand supplier strengths to effectively decide sourcing routes and build flexible, dual-sourced supply chains.
  • Represent the department in supplier and design meetings, providing expert commentary on trends and fabric direction.
  • Attend fit meetings in the absence of the Buyer to ensure garment consistency and quality.
• Sample & Critical Path Management
  • Act as the lead on critical path management, ensuring all developments are put into work on time and meeting calendar deadlines.
  • Prioritize sample requirements to meet business needs, providing clear and accurate feedback on amendments and solutions.
  • Oversee the Buying Assistant to ensure samples are prepared for all relevant meetings and press coverage is maximized.
  • Approve lab dips, prints, and trims, offering technical comments on rejected options to maintain quality standards.
• Trading, Insight & Team Development
  • Maintain a firm knowledge of department performance through detailed analysis of line performance and sales reactions.
  • Conduct regular competitive shopping to keep abreast of commercial trading and identify market opportunities.
  • Support and oversee the development of the Buying Assistant, ensuring accurate update of unconfirmed order tracking and system management.

Senior Assistant Buyers will be responsible for an area within a department with the opportunity to plan & trade and develop relationships with Merchandiser.

Technical Requirements

• Experience operating at an Assistant Buyer level within the fashion and apparel industry.
• Passionate about developing a career in buying.
• Proven commercial acumen with the ability to read data and identify sales opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate the needs of the customer.
• Highly organized with strong prioritization skills to meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• A proactive, 'can-do' attitude with a commitment to driving change and innovation.
• Fashion and trend aware with a deep understanding of the brand’s aesthetic.
• Experience in building strong partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.