At a Glance
- Tasks: Support product development and sourcing while collaborating with suppliers and internal teams.
- Company: Join Ultimate Products, a leading consumer goods business with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, international travel, clear career progression, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with sports teams and community initiatives.
- Why this job: Kickstart your buying career with exposure to major brands and retailers.
- Qualifications: Buying experience preferred but not essential; strong communication and organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester (Office-Based)
Join a Business Where Great Products Become Great Brands
The UP Story
Ultimate Products is a branded consumer goods business designing, developing and supplying innovative homeware products to over 300 major retailers across the UK and Europe. Our portfolio includes more than 3,000 products across 15 well-known brands, including household names such as Salter, Russell Hobbs and Beldray. Our products are stocked by leading retailers including Tesco, B&M and Morrisons, and are trusted for their quality, innovation and on-trend design, backed by over 260 years of combined brand heritage. With an annual turnover in excess of £165 million, we continue to grow at pace. With ambitious long-term growth plans, this is an exciting time to join the business and build your career within a fast-moving, expanding organisation; a business that’s officially recognised as a Great Place to Work®.
About the Role
We are looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our Buying team in Oldham. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has buying experience or is looking to take the next step in their Buying career. You'll play a key role in bringing innovative, on-trend products to market by supporting the full product lifecycle, from sourcing and product development through to customer presentations and order management. Working closely with Buyers, Trading Directors, suppliers and our Far East sourcing teams, you'll gain exposure to international sourcing, product development, customer meetings and supplier negotiations, providing an excellent foundation for a long-term buying career.
The Opportunity
Buying at Ultimate Products is responsible for bringing innovative, on-trend products to market at the right quality and right price, across a wide range of product divisions and brands. Our Buying teams work closely with Brand, Design, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance and Sales, as well as our overseas offices and supplier base, to deliver commercially successful ranges for major retailers. Key responsibilities include:
- Support the development and sourcing of new products, working closely with suppliers and Far East sourcing teams.
- Conduct market and competitor research to identify trends and opportunities, while taking ownership of products through the development cycle.
- Build strong supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and commercial terms, and support supplier performance management.
- Prepare customer quotations, support product presentations, and contribute to range planning and commercial decisions.
- Collaborate with Brand, QA and Compliance teams to manage packaging, artwork and product approvals.
- Attend UK and international trade shows, customer meetings and supplier visits, representing Ultimate Products and showcasing new ranges.
- Support and mentor junior team members while developing the skills and experience needed to progress into a Buyer role.
What We’re Looking For
You will ideally have:
- A minimum of 12 months’ relevant buying experience, whether in a buying, merchandising, procurement, sourcing or commercial role. (desirable but not essential)
- Strong academics at college or degree in any discipline.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
- Confidence, resilience and a proactive approach.
- Commercial awareness and an interest in consumer products and retail.
- The ability to build relationships and work collaboratively.
- A passion for product and a desire to build a long-term career in buying.
- The ability to commute to our Oldham office.
Why Join Ultimate Products?
This role offers a genuine career pathway into a successful buying career within a growing international business.
What In It For You?
- Comprehensive structured training and a personal development plan.
- International travel opportunities, including supplier visits and trade shows.
- Clear career progression pathway from Assistant Buyer to Senior Buyer and beyond.
- Exposure to major UK and European retailers.
- Opportunity to work with market-leading brands including Salter, Russell Hobbs and Beldray.
- Early 3pm finish every Friday.
- Sports teams (Football, Netball, Padel), social events and community initiatives.
- Supportive, collaborative and ambitious working environment.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re passionate about products, commercially minded and looking to build a long-term career in buying within a fast-growing international business, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the next generation of products enjoyed by millions of customers across the UK & Europe.
Assistant Buyer in Manchester employer: Ultimate Products
Ultimate Products is an exceptional employer located in Greater Manchester, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have ample opportunities for growth and advancement while being part of a team that values performance and strategic thinking. The company promotes a culture of accountability and support, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Manchester
✨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 Ultimate Products, 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 Ultimate Products!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer in Manchester
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 Ultimate Products, 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 Ultimate Products 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 Ultimate Products that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ultimate Products
✨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!
