Graduate Assistant Buyer

We are currently recruiting for an entry level Assistant Buyer. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to start their career in fashion buying and gain invaluable hands-on experience in a Cardiff based, fast paced fashion retailer that has 340 stores along with a growing ecommerce platform.

The Buying function is responsible for anticipating key trends, sourcing products and ensuring they are fit for purpose, meeting our customers’ expectations of up to date fashion, quality & value, seeing the product through from its initial design to creating the look you see in stores today.

As an Entry level Assistant Buyer, you will be assisting the buying team in sourcing, developing, buying and the delivery of our product. If you have a passion for product, enjoy being creative and hands on, along with working in a collaborative manner, then Buying is the department for you.

What Makes Us Special? We believe creating a work environment where people have a real sense of belonging is vital to our continued success and we are proud that we continue to retain the values of a family culture. Right from the beginning you can expect to feel part of our team, knowing that you are supported and helping you understand what is expected from you and what you can expect from us. We make no secret that if we are to be at the cutting edge as a competitive high street value fashion retailer we need colleagues who are prepared to work hard, are passionate about what they do and are adaptable to new ideas in a fast paced business. In return we can provide a place where people not only enjoy but a place where people want to work.

Objectives of the role

• Take ownership of the Critical Path: Ensure all key timelines are met, coordinating between internal teams and suppliers to guarantee timely product delivery and availability.
• Understand and analyse customer, competitors, trends and market conditions leading to trading decisions that are commercial and profitable.
• Organize and catalogue sample management to support efficient departmental meetings and housekeeping.
• Maintain accurate systems and order raising process.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure effective collaboration and strong partnerships.

What you'll do

• Take ownership of the Critical Path, ensuring information is accurate, up to date, and regularly shared with the team and suppliers, while identifying and escalating any issues.
• Take initiative to establish and maintain departmental filing systems ensuring all relevant paperwork/approvals are filed and easily accessible for the whole team.
• Communicate with internal departments to update or follow up on any outstanding information, ensuring all teams have accurate and up-to-date details.
• Maintain sample housekeeping by keeping them tidy, correctly labelled, and readily available for fit sessions, best sellers, press, and promotional meetings as needed.
• Chase and prioritise samples for fit sessions attending fit sessions with accurate critical path and sample information ensuring they match with order requirements.
• Accurately and promptly raise product orders, effectively communicating clear order requirements and updates to both Supplier and the B&M team.
• Undertake regular benchmarking to keep up to date with competitor activity and report findings to the Buying team.
• Analyse and interpret various financial and data reports, with a focus on sales performance, and prepare insights on the best and worst product reactions.

What are we looking for?

• A Fashion related degree/qualification.
• Retail Experience within a fashion retailer.
• A broad-based understanding of all aspects of the buying process: quality assurance, merchandising and selection.
• Ability to build good working/business relationships with suppliers.
• Good negotiation skills and excellent telephone manner.
• Strong admin experience with good attention to detail.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable.