At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Buying team as a Senior Assistant Buyer, managing product ranges and supplier relationships.
- Company: Dune London is a leading affordable luxury footwear brand with a global presence and a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy blended working, 60% employee discount, 25 days holiday, and a vibrant office culture.
- Other info: Work in a new sustainable office and enjoy fun team socials every payday Friday!
- Why this job: Be part of a growing company that values your ideas and supports your development while making a social impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Assistant Buyer in footwear retail, strong communication, and negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Dune London is the leading affordable luxury footwear and accessories brand in the UK, with broad distribution across both the UK and internationally. It has 50 stores in the UK and over 100 in 25 countries around the world. The company is entering a period of sustained growth both through additional stores, expansion of sales on its online channels and through third party partners both in the UK and globally. Celebrating its 30th anniversary the group has over the years built an enviable position as the specialist in quality fashion footwear and accessories which has given it a unique position at the high end of the high street.
About the role
We now have an opportunity on our busy Buying team for a Senior Assistant Buyer. This is a great role for an established Assistant Buyer seeking their next step up or a current Senior AB seeking a change.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate an excellent commercial awareness and to be aware of the other retailer activity and how this can affect Dune.
- Build a commercial range under the supervision of the Buyer, ability to present that range with authority to a team and to react to criticism positively. Taking responsibility for the trading of that range, showing reactivity and flexibility.
- Understand trading figures and their impact on the business, showing initiative on trade and putting forward recommendations to the Buyer.
- Liaise with suppliers on a day to day basis, ensuring excellent communication and follow through.
- Monitor the product cycle with regards to the development, confirmation samples orders’ negotiations.
- To have excellent knowledge of current and future ranges.
- Demonstrate good negotiation skills and have the confidence to present.
- Manage the BAAs to ensure all priorities are met and developed needs addressed, while also highlighting own development needs.
Experience / Skills Needed
- Experience as an Assistant Buyer within a footwear retailer / supplier.
- Display delegation skills, priorities within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
- Ensure excellent communication and interaction with other departments within Dune and understanding of their role within.
- Show initiative in the job role.
- Ability to manage up as well as down.
- Deputise for the Buyer when needed for agreed periods.
- Display enthusiasm and present yourself professionally at all times.
About the perks
- Blended working – spreading your time across our office and remote working
- Brand new sustainable office in bustling West London (near Westfield)
- Friendly and open culture with flat structures allowing plenty of opportunity for development.
- Company growth and opportunity; Dune is opening new stores and channels and evolving all the time
- Open-minded company, welcoming thoughts and ideas to be shared
- Working with charitable organisations to help raise funds and give something back. Our current charity partner is Mental Health UK.
- 60% employee discount on Dune products
- 25 days holiday (plus the bank holidays)
- Cycle2work
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance for all team members
- 3.00 p.m. finish every pay day Friday!
- Team socials and drinks – we like to have fun!
- Access to our employee assistance programme, retailTRUST, who provide resources to support wellbeing and personal development along with free counselling, legal advice and financial guidance.
- Our own Wellbeing Allies – there to talk when you need them.
What happens next?
We will take a good look at your application and if we don’t feel we are right for you, we’ll make sure we let you know but sadly we are not able to give tailored feedback.
If we are excited to find out more about you, we will give you a call and arrange to talk.
A few things that might help:
- Research the brand, the role, your interviewer on LinkedIn; browse our website; and visit a store if you can
- Make sure you have plenty of examples to show off all your amazing skills and experience relevant to this role
Seniority level
- Associate
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Product Management
Industries
- Retail and Retail Apparel and Fashion
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Assistant Buyer in London employer: The Dune Group
Dune London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in the heart of West London. As a Design Assistant, you'll benefit from hands-on experience in a leading fashion brand, with opportunities for personal growth and development, alongside a generous employee discount and a supportive environment that prioritises wellbeing and work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Assistant Buyer 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 The Dune Group, 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 The Dune Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Assistant Buyer 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 The Dune Group, 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 The Dune Group 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 The Dune Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Dune Group
✨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!
