Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry

Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry

Coventry Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the Buying team in delivering great value and choice for customers.
  • Company: Join Argos, a digital-led UK retailer pushing boundaries in retail.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a performance-related bonus.
  • Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced environment where your impact is clear.
  • Qualifications: Retail experience and strong data skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

At Argos, we’re a digital-led UK retailer that keeps pushing boundaries to meet every generation with what they want, how and when they want it. As a market leader in general merchandise, serving millions of customers through our website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect services, we offer real opportunities to learn, grow and shape your career.

Our Buying team is at the heart of delivering great value and choice for our customers. You’ll be part of a fast‑paced, commercially driven environment where decisions are made quickly and your impact is clear. We work flexibly, balancing time in the office with working from home, so you can do your best work in a way that suits you.

As an Assistant Buyer, you’ll support across a diverse and dynamic product range, helping shape offers that land well with customers and drive performance.

What you’ll do:

  • You’ll support the delivery of category plans that offer customers the right products at the right price.
  • Working closely with your Buyer, you’ll help build and execute promotional plans, ensuring pricing is accurate and competitive across all channels.
  • You’ll build strong relationships with suppliers and brands, working collaboratively to deliver a compelling customer offer.
  • A key part of the role will involve negotiating supplier funding to support promotions and drive sales and margin performance.
  • You’ll play a hands‑on role in analysing performance, identifying opportunities, and supporting range optimisation.
  • Day to day, you’ll manage key processes, maintain accurate data, and keep activity on track in a fast‑moving environment.

Who you are:

  • You’re an Assistant Buyer with a strong understanding of retail and what drives product performance.
  • You’re confident working with data, using insight to support decisions that improve sales and profit.
  • You’re comfortable building relationships with suppliers and brands, and have experience supporting negotiations, including funding discussions.
  • You’re organised, detail‑focused, and able to manage multiple priorities at pace.
  • Most importantly, you’re commercially curious, proactive, and motivated to deliver great outcomes for customers.

Experience:

  • Experience working in a Buying or Assistant Buying role.
  • Understanding of key commercial KPIs (e.g. sales, margin, profit).
  • Intermediate Excel skills (including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables).
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to prioritise effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
  • Confident working with multiple stakeholders.
  • Clear and effective communication skills.
  • Flexibility to work hybrid (Store Support Centre + home).

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.

When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. 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 additional 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, pay 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.

Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

At Argos, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions employee growth and inclusivity. Located in the vibrant Coventry Store Support Centre, we offer a dynamic work culture where flexibility is key, allowing you to balance office and home working. With a strong focus on development, competitive benefits, and a commitment to recognising hard work, Argos is an exceptional place to build a rewarding career in retail.

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

Contact Details:

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry

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 Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry

Understanding of retail
Data Analysis
Negotiation Skills
Supplier Relationship Management
Promotional Planning
Category Management
Commercial Awareness

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!