Assistant Buyer

We are looking for a Part-Time Assistant Buyer to join Team OB in our Support Office. This role will be a part-time (3 days per week), 12-month fixed-term contract. As an Assistant Buyer for Fashion Accessories at OB, you will contribute to all aspects of the Buying cycle; from creative product development, range building and trade, to price negotiation and Buying Admin Assistant management. You will play an integral role in delivering the Fashion strategy, working in collaboration with the wider Fashion team to ensure the range is delivered on time and as seamlessly as possible.

Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to having conversations about working flexibly.

A bit about us … At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work. Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do. Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.

More about the role … An OB Assistant Buyer will:

• Research and work with the Design team to develop product ranges in line with the department strategy and overall company.
• Assist the Senior Buyer with research and present new trend-led developments which extend and evolve existing collections.
• Negotiate cost prices, delivery terms, packaging and level of business with suppliers.
• Take responsibility for the critical path ensuring product is brought into the business on time, reporting any issues to Senior Buyer when necessary.
• Work on range boards and assist with developing the pricing architecture.
• Coordinate and oversee the departments administration.
• Maintain regular communication with relevant departments including PR and Marketing, Warehouse, QC, Shipping, Design and Merchandising.
• Organise and attend sign off meetings with Merchandising, Senior Managers and Directors.
• Attend weekly department trade meetings, analysing trading information, identifying best and worst sellers and presenting current product and data.
• Compile weekly sales report and collate information on stock and production availability for placing repeat orders on best sellers.
• Analyse competitor activity by carrying out competitive shops and report professional findings - product offer, store layout and markdown information.

Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products. Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First – offering financial, emotional and vocational support. Flexible holiday – 30 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service. Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme. Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical. Free access to our onsite gym. Cycle to work scheme. Refer a Friend incentive. Quarterly free lunch. Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team. Education and support through 360L eLearning platform.

What we look for:

• Effective communicator with strong negotiation and presentation skills.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to structure and develop reports.
• Experience of managing and mentoring junior team members.
• Good attention to detail.
• Approachable and adaptable to change and able to reprioritise tasks.
• A good understanding of the OB brand and customer.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• PC literate with a knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB: At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work. It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities. Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.