Assistant Buyer in Taunton

We’re looking for a commercially driven, highly organised and product-focused Assistant Buyer to join our growing fashion team at wearegrip. You will work full-time across a high-profile Formula 1 driver’s fashion brand that mixes merchandise with streetwear style. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives in the detail but thinks big picture. Someone who understands the importance of process, pace and precision and who is excited by the challenge of developing premium product within a fast-moving, high-performance environment.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Buyer and Design team to support the full product lifecycle, from initial concept through to final delivery. You’ll play a key part in ensuring our ranges are executed seamlessly, delivered on time and positioned competitively within the market. From managing the critical path and supplier communication to owning sample organisation and analysing competitors, this role is integral to ensuring our product consistently meets both brand and commercial expectations.

If you are proactive, analytical and motivated by building best-in-class merchandise in the world of Formula 1, we’d love to hear from you.

Your responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Support the Buyer in the day-to-day running of the department
• Support with driving the product development from start to end and in close collaboration with the buying and design team
• Update and maintain the critical path to ensure any issues are identified and resolved without commercial impact
• Liaise with suppliers regarding critical path, samples, approvals, deliveries, and general queries
• Ownership of sample management process – tracking, storage, and organisation. Ensuring samples are available at the right time, place and quantity to support other business functions (such as Marketing)
• Maintain accurate product and supplier information on internal systems
• Raise purchase orders and manage order tracking to ensure on-time delivery
• Ownership of buying administration tasks and the day-to-day organisation within your team
• Conduct regular analysis of our competitors and provide insights to your team, ensuring we offer our customers great value for money
• Prepare and assist fittings, organise agenda, provide samples at the right place, right time and right quantity

About you:

• 3+ years’ experience as a Senior Buying Assistant or Assistant Buyer within a clothing business
• Strong product development knowledge, ideally working with an in-house design team
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines
• Commercially aware with strong analytical capability
• Advanced Excel proficiency
• Strong team player with clear and confident communication skills
• Good understanding of trends, competitor activity and market positioning
• High level of ownership, accountability and attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Your skills:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture beyond immediate tasks
• Decisive and action-oriented, able to move projects forward independently
• Detail-conscious with a sharp eye for quality, presentation and brand standards
• Naturally curious, always seeking ways to improve product and process
• Resilient and composed, maintaining momentum in high-pressure situations

Not essential but always a bonus:

• Interest in motorsport, particularly Formula 1
• Experience working within licensed or sports merchandise
• Experience in a start-up or scale-up environment

Benefits:

• 20 days annual leave plus one week shutdown over Christmas and New Year
• 1 fully paid day off for your birthday
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Days in lieu when required to work weekends
• Apple MacBook plus relevant software and equipment
• Budget for personal training and development