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 range of employee benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with opportunities to learn and grow.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in Buying, strong data skills, and excellent communication.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Argos, we’re always looking ahead and so are our teams. This is an opportunity to register your interest in future Assistant Buyer roles. While we don’t have a live vacancy right now, we’d love to hear from you to join our talent pool.
Why join us
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.
Essential criteria
- 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. 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.
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 as 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
At Argos, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that values flexibility and employee growth. Our dynamic work culture encourages collaboration and innovation, allowing you to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced retail environment. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous discounts, performance-related bonuses, and a commitment to inclusivity, Argos is an excellent place to build a rewarding career while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry
✨Get Visible in Your Community
Retail hiring often happens locally, so don’t hesitate to stroll into shops like Sainsbury's with your CV in hand. Engage with the staff—show them your enthusiasm and ask about any openings. It’s all about making a memorable impression, so don’t shy away from being friendly!
✨Join Retail Job Fairs
Local job fairs are a goldmine for entry-level retail positions. Keep an eye out for events in your area where Sainsbury's might have a booth. This allows us to chat directly with hiring managers and get the inside scoop on what they're looking for!
✨Leverage Your Social Networks
Utilise social media platforms to let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for an entry-level retail gig. You’d be amazed at how many opportunities come from a simple post. Ask if anyone’s heard about openings at Sainsbury's or similar spots—it’s all about tapping into your network!
✨Look for Seasonal Opportunities
Retail often ramps up staffing during holiday seasons, so keep an eye out for temporary positions. Get in touch with Sainsbury's around times like Christmas or Black Friday. Applying for seasonal roles can sometimes lead to permanent positions if you impress!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - TV & AV in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, it's all about the customer experience! Make sure your CV highlights any previous customer service roles or relevant experiences. Whether it's a part-time gig or volunteering, include instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for customers to showcase your people skills.
Keep It Clear and Concise:Retail hiring managers sift through tons of applications, so get straight to the point. Tailor your CV to include key information like your availability and any retail experience, but make it easy to read. Bullet points and a tidy layout can make all the difference for those first impressions!
Craft a Friendly Cover Letter:Since this is an entry-level position, let your enthusiasm shine through in your cover letter! Mention why you're excited about working at Sainsbury's specifically—people love to see a genuine connection. Talk about your willingness to learn and how you're ready to take on the challenges of retail.
Research and Refer to Retail Trends:Showing knowledge of the retail industry can set you apart! Briefly mention some current retail trends or issues in your application to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the market. It’ll show that you’re not just any applicant but someone who genuinely cares about the brand and its customers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In the retail world, customer service is king! Get ready to share your experiences dealing with customers, whether it’s from previous jobs or volunteering. Think about examples where you handled tough situations or went the extra mile, as employers like Sainsbury's want to see that you’ve got the people skills to keep their customers happy.
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before heading to your interview at Sainsbury's, take a deep dive into their product range. If you have a particular brand or category you're passionate about, bring that enthusiasm to the conversation. Familiarising yourself with their values and bestsellers can really set you apart as someone who's not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in retail.
✨Dress the Part – Retail Style
For an entry-level role in retail, your appearance can say a lot about your understanding of the industry. Dress smart but relatable—think about what you'd wear on the shop floor. Showing that you understand the brand image of Sainsbury's through your style can give you an edge right from the get-go.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Retail is all about teamwork! Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a positive team environment at Sainsbury's. Having stories that illustrate how you've worked well with others, whether in school projects or group activities, can showcase your collaborative spirit, which is crucial for an entry-level position.
