At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in buying branded menswear and manage brand relationships.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Very, a leading digital retailer.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 27 days holiday, and a £250 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with excellent growth opportunities and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Kickstart your fashion career and make a real impact in retail.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for fashion are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
About Us
We're the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you're high‑performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you'll enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go. If you love making a difference, you'll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.
About The Team
Our Buying team has some of the best minds in fashion and retail and is leading the way in finding the next trends and products. We're excited to share an opportunity for a high-reaching, creative and dedicated individual looking to expand their buying career.
About The Role
We have a really exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer on Branded Menswear. You'll report directly into the Buyer for the area, giving you lots of opportunity to further develop your skills. Day‑to‑day you will be meeting and managing brand relationships, selecting commercial range‑plans suited to our customer, producing and presenting reports at trade meetings on trends, forecasts and opportunities. We're looking for an Assistant Buyer who already has experience at this level or someone who is ready for the next level. You will be working with our key strategic menswear brands. The skills and behaviours imperative to being a successful AB candidate are methodical, passionate, strong communication skills, the ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong eye for product, an understanding of the current market/competition, and excellent attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
- Relationship management: both internally and externally will be important, building strong relationships to maximise commercial opportunities – key relationships day‑to‑day email management with supply chain.
- Commercial awareness: Awareness of the market is key, keeping track of competitor activity, market trends and price positioning.
- Maintaining relationships with brands in line with our values.
- Able to deputise for the Buyer in key meetings.
- Able to delegate or take lead and make decisions under pressure.
- Formulating Range Frameworks/Brand Plans alongside merchandising functions.
About You
You will be highly organised with great communication skills. You know how to analyse performance and apply lessons learnt to future range building. You can pre‑empt potential challenges that may impact team or trading and take steps to minimise them before they arise. You will build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Liaison with SMT and can clearly articulate sign‑offs and category performance. Trading actions – identifying how to maximise best‑sellers and identifying worst sellers and minimising risk. Able to delegate or take lead.
Some of our benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment
- £250 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays
- Udemy learning access
- Bonus potential (performance and business‑related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
How To Apply
Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and, if a specific requirement of your role, a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.
What happens next?
Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you're successful so keep an eye on your emails! We'll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we're a good match, we'll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in‑person or held remotely. You can expect a two‑stage interview process for this position.
First Stage – a 20 minute initial call with the hiring team to find out more about you and for you to learn about life at TVG.
Second Stage – A 1 hour final stage, task‑based interview with the Hiring Team.
As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments. If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.
Equal opportunities
We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Seniority level: Entry level
Employment type: Full‑time
Assistant Buyer - Branded Menswear in London employer: The Very Group
At Very, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and personal growth. Our inclusive culture fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing our employees to thrive in their careers while enjoying a wealth of benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and access to continuous learning opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact for families across the UK, all while working in a dynamic team that values your unique contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer - Branded Menswear in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Very. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by researching the latest trends in menswear. Show us you’re passionate about the market and ready to bring fresh ideas to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. Whether it’s presenting reports or managing brand relationships, being articulate and confident will make a great impression on the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our awesome benefits there.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer - Branded Menswear in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion:When you're writing your application, let your love for menswear shine through! Talk about your favourite brands, trends, or styles that inspire you. We want to see that you're not just applying for any job, but that you're genuinely excited about this role.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored specifically for the Assistant Buyer position. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job description. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their background with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible and avoid long-winded sentences. We love a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values while you're at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, do your homework on the menswear brands you'll be working with. Understand their market positioning, recent collections, and any current trends. This will show your passion for the role and help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform your buying decisions in the past. Bring examples of how you've analysed performance metrics or market trends to build successful product ranges. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to make data-driven decisions.
✨Practice Relationship Management
Since relationship management is key in this role, think of examples where you've successfully built and maintained relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to share how you’ve navigated challenges and maximised opportunities through effective communication.
✨Prepare for Task-Based Questions
Expect task-based questions in the final stage of the interview. Practice how you would approach formulating range frameworks or brand plans. Think about how you would delegate tasks or lead under pressure, as these skills are crucial for the Assistant Buyer position.