At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying Team with admin tasks and manage product samples.
- Company: Join Oak Furnitureland, a leading name in furniture and homewares.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, life assurance, hybrid working, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and gain valuable experience in buying.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills and knowledge of buying processes required.
The predicted salary is between 20790 - 25410 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Buying Team Assistant preferably with furniture or homewares experience to join our buying team.
The role is based in our Swindon head office and is a fixed term maternity cover contract for 15 months.
As a Buying Team Assistant at Oak Furnitureland, you'll be responsible for supporting the Buying Team by providing comprehensive, timely and professional administrative support.
We are looking for someone who is organised and personable with an ability to multi-task to support a busy Buying team across all product categories.
The successful candidate will have strong administration skills, a knowledge of buying processes, excellent organisation and communication and a can-do positive attitude.
Knowledge and ability to confidently use Excel, Powerpoint and Word is essential as is an ability to juggle multiple tasks at one time.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for creating, monitoring and maintaining a wide range of key documents to support the buying team.
- Providing comprehensive administrative support to the wider Commercial team.
- Managing the sample room (Mock Shop) and end to end sample process.
Acting as a key contact for coordinating and tracking new product samples between the UK, Far East and Warehouse teams.
- Acting as a key coordinator between buying and marketing, managing the critical path dates and schedules to ensure samples are available for photography on time, chasing where necessary.
- Reviewing the market, conducting competitor analysis, consistently looking for trends and feeding this into the Buying Team.
- Supporting the Buying Team in daily tasks as requested
Skills And Experience
- A good working knowledge of buying processes/experience within a buying team
- Strong administration skills.
- Excellent organisation and communication.
- A proven track record for developing effective working relationships.
- Good competitor knowledge and understanding in both retail and online.
- The ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace.
- Excellent Microsoft Office and Powerpoint skills.
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving and provide resolution in a fast-paced environment.
- Working flexibly as part of the wider Commercial team
Benefits
- Employee discount: amazing discounts available on all Oak Furnitureland products after successful completion of probation
- Life assurance: free cover of a minimum of two times your annual salary up to the age of 65
- 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
- Birthday: an additional day off for you to celebrate your birthday
- Hybrid working
- Pension: 4% employee contribution matched by the company
- Employee Assistance Programme: gives all employees access to both telephone and face-to-face counselling services
- My Rewards Programme: offers discounts on everything from restaurants and supermarkets, to entertainment and holidays
- Free on-site parking
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Buying Team Assistant in Swindon employer: Oak Furnitureland
At our Swindon Distribution Centre, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a positive and collaborative work culture. As a Yard Waste Manager, you'll not only lead a dedicated team but also benefit from comprehensive employee growth opportunities, competitive perks like generous discounts, life assurance, and a supportive Employee Assistance Programme. Join us to make a meaningful impact in waste management while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Team Assistant in Swindon
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Team Assistant in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Oak Furnitureland:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Oak Furnitureland! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oak Furnitureland
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Oak Furnitureland offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Oak Furnitureland and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
