At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist the Buying team with sample management, product data, and supplier liaison.
- Company: Join The White Company, a leader in home products with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 50% discount, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Great location, social events, and a commitment to diversity and sustainability.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and make a real impact in product management.
- Qualifications: Excel, Word, Outlook skills; relevant degree preferred but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 28000 £ per year.
To assist the Buying team in all aspects, with particular focus on sample management, product data management, supplier liaison and general administration.
Product Management
- To ensure that all product line lists are set up accurately and maintained on the system in line with departmental deadlines.
- To ensure that core product information and attributes such as price, quantity, delivery date, freight details, theme, currency assumptions and supplier are correctly maintained.
- To be responsible for product management and new season product set up on Dynamics.
- To assist with the setting up of orders as required at peak times.
- To ensure that the key assumptions behind the critical path are understood and to ensure all critical dates are maintained.
- To organise and manage receipt of all samples, ensure they are readily available and correctly labelled.
Supplier Liaison
- To support the QA team in sealing sample progress, chasing results and filing as required.
- To ensure that our supplier details are fully up to date, logging current performance issues.
- Assist in the preparation of product brief sheets in a timely manner, chasing suppliers as required.
- Assist in co‑ordinating the development and arrival of all samples and necessary information to enable selection meetings to run efficiently.
Commercial Awareness
- To develop a robust understanding of the weekly pack and sales by line reports, in order to identify trading risks and opportunities across all channels.
- To undertake store visits as and when required - ideally store visits should be undertaken at least every three months.
- Undertake supplier visits and meetings to improve knowledge of the business.
- To undertake competitor visits on a regular basis and feedback any relevant points, proposing opportunities on product development.
- To understand the critical dates and deadlines in both the planning and trading process.
- To consistently deliver excellent standards of customer service.
- To understand the key sales, profit and margin drivers across the business and the impact of your role on these.
Analytical support
- To provide all necessary ad‑hoc analysis to support product, retail and Direct performance reviews and to also improve commercial understanding of the Business.
- To develop a thorough working knowledge of the Dynamics system and assist in the maintenance of the system.
- To maintain accurate and tidy filing systems at all times.
Training and Development
- To instigate improvements as appropriate to working practices and systems.
- To adopt a positive and proactive approach to training and development, to participate fully in all team related activities.
- To assist in the training of new BA’s joining the business.
- To ensure that stores, web team and call centre receive product communication as necessary, challenge opportunities to improve sales performance.
The skills & experience that you’ll need
- System skills including Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Relevant Buying / Textile degree would be desirable.
What we’ll offer you
- Discount - Up to 50% discount and access to regular Sample Sales.
- Holiday - 23 days rising to 25 with length of service.
- Holiday Buy – opportunity to buy up to 5 days holiday.
- Pension Scheme - enrolled in our Group Personal Pension schemes upon joining the business.
- Bonus - In addition to our competitive salaries, all our employees are entitled to join a discretionary bonus scheme (based on policy eligibility).
- Wagestream Money Management app - access to Wagestream gives you power over your pay and supports financial wellbeing.
- Continued Development – We offer structured support from our own in‑house Learning and Development Hub.
- Life Assurance.
- White City House (Soho House Group) Tenants Membership at a discounted rate, offering access to facilities in the House.
Additional Benefits
- Fruit basket daily.
- Tea and coffee provided.
- Working from Home - option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
- Social - Christmas party/social events throughout the year.
- Seasonal Sample Sales.
- Volunteer Day - with a charity of your choice.
- Great Location - Close to transport links - over ground Shepherds Bush station /underground White City & Wood Lane stations. Westfield shopping centre with shops restaurants/bars/cinema and gyms.
Our Equality Diversity and Inclusion statement of commitment
At The White Company we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that welcomes and celebrates a diversity of backgrounds and identities. We are working together to ensure our environment is one where people can bring their authentic selves to work, where their contribution is valued, ability enhanced, and perspective appreciated. Where difference is respected, encouraged, and celebrated. Where you can feel you belong. We are committed to an active Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process. We'd love you to join us on our journey.
Our Sustainability statement of commitment
We are committed to building a sustainable legacy that will enable a brighter future for people and our planet. We believe this should be reflected in everything we do.
Buying Admin Assistant - Home employer: The White Company
At The White Company, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment that values employee contributions and encourages personal growth. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including up to 50% discount, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, our team members thrive in a culture that celebrates collaboration and innovation. Located near excellent transport links and vibrant amenities, our White City office offers a fantastic setting for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Admin Assistant - Home
✨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 White Company, 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 White Company!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Admin Assistant - Home
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 White Company, 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 White Company 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 White Company that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The White Company
✨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!
