At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and source innovative licensed apparel for major global brands.
- Company: Dynamic company in the licensed apparel industry with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, early finishes on Fridays, and free parking.
- Other info: Clear progression opportunities into a Buying Manager role.
- Why this job: Gain genuine ownership over product development and work with globally recognised brands.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in buying or product development within licensed apparel or softlines.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire (Office-based with hybrid working after probation)
Salary: £32,000 - £34,000 DOE + genuine progression
Hours: Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 18:00 | Friday 09:00 - 16:30
We're looking for a commercially minded Assistant Buying Manager with experience in licensed apparel and softlines. This role is centred on developing licensed clothing, nightwear, loungewear, accessories and fashion products for major retailers, working closely with licensors, design teams and overseas manufacturers.
The ideal candidate will understand the unique demands of licensed apparel, including brand guidelines, licensor approvals, retailer expectations, critical paths, seasonal ranges and the pace required to launch products tied to some of the world's biggest entertainment, gaming and lifestyle brands. If you are an organised and motivated individual looking to build your career within buying and product management, we would love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and source innovative licensed apparel and softline products, with a particular focus on clothing.
- Manage product development from concept through design, licensor approvals, sampling and production.
- Liaise daily with customers, licensors, designers and Far East factories.
- Negotiate costs and protect product margins.
- Manage critical paths to ensure seasonal and retailer launch dates are achieved.
- Coordinate artwork, labelling, packaging, compliance, quality and garment specifications.
- Identify new product, range and category opportunities within licensed apparel and softlines.
We're Looking For
- 2+ years' experience in buying, sourcing or product development within licensed apparel, fashion or softlines.
- Experience developing softline categories such as clothing, nightwear, loungewear, accessories or similar.
- A solid understanding of the licensed product approval process and working with licensors.
- Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers, ideally China.
- Strong commercial awareness with excellent Excel and organisational skills.
- Confident communicator who enjoys taking ownership and solving problems.
Desirable
- Experience working with leading entertainment, gaming or character licences.
- Knowledge of garment compliance, labelling and broader apparel product requirements.
- Experience attending supplier meetings or factory visits in the Far East.
- Experience working with major UK retailers and their product development processes.
- Mandarin or another relevant language.
Why Join Us?
- Work on products for globally recognised licensed brands.
- Genuine ownership and influence over product development.
- Clear progression into a Buying Manager role.
- Collaborative, fast-moving environment.
- Early finish every Friday.
- Free parking.
- Hybrid working after successful probation.
Please Note: This role is specifically aimed at candidates who already have experience within the licensed consumer products industry, ideally within apparel or softlines. While experience in buying or procurement is valuable, applicants without exposure to licensed products and apparel/softline consumer categories are unlikely to be suitable.
Assistant Buying Manager in Slough employer: Recruitment Helpline Ltd
Join a well-established company in Bradford as a Pension Supervisor, where you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive salaries and a commitment to work-life balance, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a dynamic team while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a thriving local community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buying Manager in Slough
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Recruitment Helpline Ltd, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Recruitment Helpline Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buying Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Recruitment Helpline Ltd, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Recruitment Helpline Ltd and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Recruitment Helpline Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruitment Helpline Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
