At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying team with admin tasks and product management.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a range of employee perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and development within a supportive team.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in a fast-paced environment while making an impact.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience with data management required.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 28000 £ per year.
We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Here, everything in our stores starts in Sainsbury’s Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for all food, non-food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, online and on demand. It’s an incredibly fast-paced environment. People here are in it together and aren’t afraid to take risks. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. So, if you’re passionate about your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly.
As a Buying Assistant, you will provide essential administrative and operational support to the Buying team, ensuring that all processes are delivered accurately and in line with critical timelines. You will play a key role in implementing promotional and pricing plans, coordinating product set-up, supporting marketing campaigns, and maintaining accurate product and supplier information. Please note this role can be based at either our London or Ansty Park Store Support Centre, but will require travel to the other.
Day to day, you will work across a variety of activities including raising and tracking promotions, liaising with suppliers for product launches, maintaining SKU and system accuracy, and responding to queries from internal stakeholders and store colleagues. You will also support data analysis, reviewing customer feedback and competitor pricing to help inform trading decisions, while ensuring compliance with internal processes and legal requirements.
More about you
- You will bring a high level of organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- You will be comfortable working with data, able to interpret information and use it to support decision-making, while maintaining a strong focus on accuracy and process.
- You will demonstrate effective communication and stakeholder management skills, enabling you to build positive relationships across the business and with external partners.
- A proactive and solutions-focused approach is key, alongside the ability to prioritise workload, adapt to changing priorities, and continuously look for ways to improve processes and outcomes.
Experience required:
- Demonstrable experience carrying out administrative tasks accurately within defined timelines.
- Previous experience of internal Argos or JS systems essential - e.g RMS, DRS, Online Range Plans.
- Proven ability to use Microsoft Excel and other MS Office tools to input, maintain and analyse data.
- Experience handling and maintaining data accuracy across systems or databases.
- Demonstrable experience managing multiple tasks and prioritising workload to meet deadlines.
- Evidence of working with internal or external stakeholders to resolve queries or deliver tasks.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working.
When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
- Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year.
- We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover.
- You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 5% of salary, depending on how we perform.
- Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday.
- We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers.
- And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme.
- Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Buying Assistant - General Merchandise Home employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
At Sainsbury's, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Buying Assistant in our London Store Support Centre, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, extensive benefits including colleague discounts, flexible working options, and robust career development opportunities. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your growth in a fast-paced, inclusive environment.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant - General Merchandise Home
✨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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Assistant - General Merchandise Home
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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets 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 Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets 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!