Assistant Buyer

Assistant Buyer

Full-Time 27000 - 33000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support the buying team in sourcing quality products and driving sales.
  • Company: Join Tesco, a leading supermarket and tech company with a diverse culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, generous holiday, and mental wellbeing support.
  • Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on product offerings while developing your career in retail.
  • Qualifications: Experience in buying, supplier management, and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.

We are on the lookout for an Assistant Buyer to join our Northern Ireland Product Team.

This role is a key part of the buying team, supporting the Buying Manager to source and buy great quality products, giving our customers the best offer, range and prices available., The above information is a shortened summary, refer to our policies for full details You will be responsible for

  • Support supplier management, including performance monitoring, relationship building, quality assurance, and identifying new supplier opportunities.
  • Deliver category, trade, promotions, and events plans to drive sales, footfall, KPI performance, and accurate forecasting.
  • Analyse customer insights, market trends, competitor activity, and performance data to identify opportunities and shape category strategy.
  • Support product range development, innovation, and promotional activity, ensuring customer and market needs are met.
  • Collaborate with Merchandising and Supply Chain teams to implement range changes, promotions, and product launches in line with critical path deadlines.
  • Manage online product presentation and data quality, including images, taxonomy, and search optimisation.
  • Plan and execute National Features and Events, ensuring strong commercial performance and operational practicality for stores.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders across the UK & Ireland.
  • Ensure full compliance with Tesco policies, GSCOP requirements, and the Business Code of Conduct, maintaining accurate records and acting with integrity at all times.

Experience within Buying is a must for this position.

  • Supplier management, relationship building, and negotiation.
  • Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Buying, category management, and range planning.
  • Trade planning and commercial performance management.
  • Data analysis, reporting, and insight generation.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong IT skills.
  • Understanding of retail operations and customer trends.
  • Ability to influence decisions and support commercial strategy development.

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network.

Truth is, we're all of those things, and much more.

Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world.

No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues.

At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work.

Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely.

Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you.

We're proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone's welcome.

That's why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

We're all about the little helps. That's why we make sure our Tesco colleague benefits package takes care of you - both in and out of work. to find out more!

Benefits

  • Annual bonus scheme of up to 10% of base salary
  • Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank Holidays)
  • 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (12 months service required at the qualifying date) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, plus 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave
  • Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and access to mental wellbeing support
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Assistant Buyer employer: Tesco PLC

At Tesco, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within our Northern Ireland Product Team. As an Assistant Buyer, you'll benefit from a comprehensive colleague benefits package, including an annual bonus scheme, generous holiday allowance, and robust support for personal and professional growth, all while working in a flexible environment that champions inclusivity and well-being.

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Contact Details:

Tesco PLC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer

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 Tesco PLC, 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 Tesco PLC!

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer

Supplier Management
Performance Monitoring
Relationship Building
Quality Assurance
Category Management
Trade Planning
Data Analysis

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 Tesco PLC, 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 Tesco PLC 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 Tesco PLC that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at Tesco PLC

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!