At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buyer in sourcing and negotiating for Beer, Wine, and Spirits.
- Company: Join Selfridges, a leading retail brand known for its innovative approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, great perks, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on creativity and customer engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving exciting product offerings in a vibrant market.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
As an Assistant Buyer, you will be responsible for our Beer, Wine and Spirits Buying department, supporting the Buyer in sourcing brands and product. You will work with the Buyer to negotiate the best terms for the business with suppliers. To ensure the ordering process is efficient and compliant with Selfridges processes and to assist the Buying Admin where necessary.
As Assistant Buyer, you will:
- Support the buyer across the BWS business – ensuring thorough knowledge of product and market
- Negotiate the best possible terms with suppliers i.e. margin, trade discounts, markdown support, working with the Buyer where appropriate
- Forge strong partnerships with our brand partners and our brand partnerships team
- Work with the Buyer and Merchandiser to ensure that decisions are based on a sound commercial framework to drive sales and profit
- Monitor and review trade in season, making trading recommendations to the Buyer where necessary
- Support the Buyers Admin with weekly trade packs, and NPD packs feeding back and presenting key findings to Senior stakeholders
- Drive space takeovers in London and the city flagships ensuring that everything is approved ahead of time, forms filled in/agreements in place and brands know when to install/deinstall
- Assist with range planning, working closely with the Merchandiser and Buyer
- Work with the Merchandiser to analyse performance, making recommendations to the Buyer i.e. to keep or discontinue within the business
- Communicate effectively with retail operations teams, particularly with regard to new launches and product training
- Work closely with Marketing and PR and to be aware of promotional opportunities during negotiations with suppliers
- Carry out research into key trends and attend tastings/events
- Where relevant, supervise the wider team and monitor workload always thinking about better ways of working and streamlining the workload
- Work closely with VM to ensure product placement optimises the look and performance of the department
- Ensure effective communication with retail operations teams, particularly with regard to new season launches and product training
- Work with our concession partners to support and drive them to reach/exceed plan
- Support the buyers admin with their product development and their general workload if required
A bit about you:
- Highly knowledgeable. You will have a well-developed understanding of the product/market
- Buying Experience Required and WSET (or equivalent) Preferred
- Strategic and operational. With strong analytical skills and experience driving long-term and profitable commercial strategies, you’ll be able to successfully manage projects through to completion
- Engaging. Able to influence your stakeholders, retail and brands, you know how to use both data and market trends to drive commercial opportunities
- Customer focused. Combined with exceptional taste and instinct, you are able to push the boundaries to offer new and exciting product
- All over the numbers. You are numerate with a highly commercial approach, as well as proficient in excel
- Collaborative. Working flexibly as part of the wider Buying team you will support in projects and cross functional meetings as appropriate
- Organised with attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to influence
Assistant Buyer - Food in London employer: Selfridges
At Selfridges, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values creativity and customer engagement. Our vibrant work culture fosters personal growth and offers unique opportunities to connect with diverse guests in a dynamic retail environment. Join us in delivering extraordinary experiences while enjoying a supportive team atmosphere and flexible working hours.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Food in London
✨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 Selfridges, 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 Selfridges!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Food in London
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 Selfridges, 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 Selfridges 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 Selfridges that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Selfridges
✨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!
