At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the buying team with product coordination, supplier communication, and administrative tasks.
- Company: Join Edinburgh Woollen Mill, a leading retailer celebrating British heritage and quality craftsmanship.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Other info: Perfect for high school and college students eager to kickstart their careers in retail.
- Why this job: Get hands-on experience in retail buying while working with a passionate and collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for retail are essential.
Job description
Here at Edinburgh Woollen Mill we are looking for an Buying Assistant to join our Buying team at our Head Office in Carlisle.
About Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Edinburgh Woollen Mill is a leading retailer of quality clothing, accessories, and homeware, celebrating British heritage, craftsmanship and timeless style. With a strong presence on the high street and an expanding online offering, we’re committed to providing our customers with excellent products and services. Our Buying Team is central to our success and motivated and detail-driven individuals have the opportunity to flourish and progress within this fantastic business.
Role Overview:
The Buyer’s Assistant plays a key role in supporting the buying team with the coordination of product ranges, critical paths, supplier communication and general administration. You will be supporting our buying teams across fast-paced and varied product ranges. This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone keen to develop a career in retail buying, with hands on involvement in the buying cycle from range planning to product development and supplier management
Key Responsibilities:
Admin & Team Support
· Provide administrative support to the Buyer/Senior Buyer
· Maintain range plans ensuring all details are accurate and updated in internal systems
· Support with meeting scheduling, minutes, and seasonal planning documents
Product & Range Support
· Assist with the preparation and maintenance of product ranges
· Assist in range building, trend research and preparation for buying meetings
· Track product samples and co-ordinate fittings and approvals
· Coordinate samples, prepare boards and materials for range reviews, trade and sign offs
System Management
· Ensure accurate product data entry and maintain internal systems: range plan, web support, PIM, photography plan, POS etc
· Liaise with internal departments (design, merchandising, technical, sourcing, shipping) to ensure smooth workflow
Supplier Liaison
· Communicate with suppliers on fabric, sample, colour and strike off requests and approvals
· Track and chase product samples and approvals supporting sourcing
Critical Path Management
· Maintain critical paths and ensure key deadlines are met to ensure on-time product delivery
· Support tracking of all key milestones: sending of colours, protos, sample approvals, orders placed etc
Data and Reporting
· Help with sales analysis and preparing for trade meetings; gain a full understanding of highest best/worst sellers, rate of sale, store cover and sell through etc
· Monitor competitor activity and compile pricing/trend comparisons
· Ensure all product data and imagery is accurate and uploaded to web platform at key times, constantly reviewing web performance and supporting improvements
Key Skills & Attributes:
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially excel and power point
· Excellent attention to detail and accuracy with a proactive approach to problem solving
· Confident communicator with good interpersonal and relationship building skills
· Ability to work proactively and manage multiple priorities
· A passion for retail and an interest in buying or product development
· Supportive and collaborative approach to working in a team
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
Commercial Acumen: know and understand your customer and competition. Actively participate in trend and product research. Competitor shops and propose new ideas and opportunities to improve trade and increase revenue
Product Knowledge: become a product expert and assist with the management of fits and fit process. Learn and improve knowledge on garment construction, fabric and trim application whilst maintaining quality and applying attention to detail at all times
Range Building: support with sample management and preparation of product ranges for meetings and demonstrate organisational skills by maintaining an accurate sample management system
Organisation & Time Management: co-ordinate and support with proto packs, fabric, colour, print, managing tasks and completing accurately and efficiently, within set deadlines
Understanding Profitability: ensure an awareness to costs and margin when supporting with buying decisions or sharing new ideas
Critical Path: keep product launches on time by monitoring and managing key critical path milestones ie. Red Seal, Black Seal, Approvals etc. Ensure speed and responsiveness during product development
Admin Accuracy: 100% accurate in data entry on system and range plans (product titles, composition, pricing, approvals etc) Attention to detail at all times
Effective Communication: ensure clear communication to the wider team at all times and demonstrate a collaborative approach
Team Collaboration: support the team and demonstrate a collaborative approach to all tasks given and have an active, questioning approach, contributing to team goals
Please apply now if interested!
To view our privacy notice please visit:
www.ewm.co.uk/careers
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The fine balance of keeping your CV brief enough to be appealing but still get across everything you want to say..
It is perfectly normal to feel anxious, excited and a bit stressed about interviews, but some preparation beforehand can help to calm your nerves ...
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#J-18808-LjbffrBuying Assistant in Carlisle employer: The Retail Appointment Live
Edinburgh Woollen Mill is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values collaboration and innovation within the retail sector. Located in Carlisle, our Head Office provides a supportive environment where Buying Assistants can thrive, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic team dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction. Join us to be part of a company that celebrates British heritage while fostering your career in retail buying.
Contact Details:
The Retail Appointment Live Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant in Carlisle
✨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 Retail Appointment Live, 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 Retail Appointment Live!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Assistant in Carlisle
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 Retail Appointment Live, 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 Retail Appointment Live 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 Retail Appointment Live that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Retail Appointment Live
✨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!
