At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in buying processes and help shape product offerings for our customers.
- Company: Join Shop Direct, the UK's second largest pureplay online retailer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to learn and grow in a leading company.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transformation in digital retail and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or retail and a passion for customer-centric solutions.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
In the world of retail things happen fast, especially at Shop Direct. We're transforming at an unprecedented rate, becoming a truly world class digital retailer. Ensuring we make our customers aware of products that are relevant to them is really important to us and we know it's really important to our customer. It's central to our strategy and why we're looking to attract the very best talent we can and build on our already impressive team.
Technology underpins everything we are and enables us to truly understand our customer. It's central to our strategy. That's why we take it very seriously and continually invest, making sure we have the very latest tools needed to remain at the cutting edge of digital retail. It is a hugely exciting time to join Shop Direct as we transform into becoming a world class digital retailer and are now the UK's second largest pureplay retailer with our power brand, Very, and heritage brand, Littlewoods, not to mention our luxury brand Very Exclusive, taking the world by storm.
Shop Direct is on a journey - focused on becoming a world class digital retailer that can make good things easily accessible to more people; and we're no ordinary retailer, we also have a financial services business within Shop Direct that enables us to offer an array of credit and insurance products to our customers, making us unique in the market. It's a really exciting time for us as we rapidly expand, building on our rich history, embracing world leading technologies and utilising the huge amount of data available to make the right decisions to the benefit of both our customers and Shop Direct.
Join the multi award winning company behind exciting brands such as Very.co.uk, Very Exclusive and Littlewoods.com, and help us on our journey to becoming a world class digital retailer.
About us: We’re the UK’s second largest pureplay online retailer and we exist for one simple reason; to make good things easily accessible to more people. It’s our purpose, why we get out of bed in the morning. It means offering the best range of famous brands, a seamless online shopping journey and unique ways to spread the cost that our customers love. We’ve been doing it for more than 80 years and our digital department stores have become household names, from the much-loved Littlewoods.com to Very.co.uk, which is now our biggest and fastest growing brand with sales of more than £1bn. Today, we turnover more than £1.9bn, our websites get over 1.2m visits every day and 62% of our online sales are from mobile devices. We sell over 1,300 famous brands and deliver 49 million products to over four million customers each year. We’ve got a clear goal. It’s to become a world class digital retailer. We’re already well on the way and, by staying true to our purpose, we believe we’ll achieve our ambition.
About the role: ENTER ROLE INFORMATION HERE
About you: ENTER ROLE REQUIREMENTS HERE
How to apply: This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Buying Assistant who is looking for their next career move. If you are interested to find out more please contact the Talent Acquisition team at Shop Direct or apply online. Please note that the Talent Acquisition team at Shop Direct is managing this vacancy directly and will not be accepting CVs sent by any recruitment agencies. Please be advised, if successful in securing this position, you may be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS and CRB check. If you are a current employee of Shop Direct please apply via Talent Online as an internal applicant.
Buying Assistant employer: The Very Group
The Very Group is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Liverpool, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to flexible working arrangements, a competitive bonus structure, and a range of additional benefits that enhance your overall well-being. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your contributions to knowledge management will make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to The Very Group:Don’t forget to personalise your application for The Very Group! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that The Very Group offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at The Very Group and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
