Assistant Buyer Menswear in London

White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women’s and men’s clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive. Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We’re sociable, talented and like-minded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

Primary objective of the job: The Assistant Buyer will support the Buyer in the management of the order and delivery process. They will also support the Buyer in building the range and this position initially sits within our Menswear Team.

Who you are: We are looking for an experienced Assistant Buyer who can demonstrate the following:

• Previous experience at AB level, managing your own area with an understanding buying calendar and range building process; menswear experience preferred.
• Experience of planning and developing product with Merch and Designer (overseen by Buyer).
• Ability to formulate a clear directional strategy for individual area of responsibility.
• A tenacious, positive attitude with a willingness for continuous improvement in the role, and a desire to develop yourself and junior members of the team.
• Positive & proactive approach to building & maintaining strong relationships with key internal & external stakeholders.
• Able to identify problems and make suggestions for improvements/solutions.
• Takes accountability to ensure that own and team targets are met.
• Strong analytical & numerical skills with attention to detail.
• Good written & verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, flexible approach to managing high workload & ad hoc tasks.

What you’ll be doing:

• Presenting product on a regular basis to the Buyer, Merch and senior Management.
• Working closely with Buyer, Merchandiser, Designer to ensure Product objectives and Sales plans are delivered.
• Influencing the range construction using sales information, history, instinct and commercial research.
• Supporting and inputting into the team’s objective to build a commercial, balanced, focused range through competitor benchmarking and relevant trend direction in line with the department and division strategic plans.
• Reacting to current trade, to manage risks and maximize opportunities.
• Active influencing within departmental strategy meetings, analyzing sales, commercial feedback, comparative shop reporting to ensure the delivery of driving full price sales, reducing markdown, and appropriate new product opportunities.
• Contributing to team objective of achieving optimum cost-effective negotiation and supplier management.
• Demonstrating high levels of thorough management of the departmental and divisional end to end critical path.
• Being fully aware of delivery of goods to the DC and communicating changes to delivery arrangements to the whole team.
• Managing the approval of lab dips, strike offs and trims to a high standard that delivers the signed off look of each product.
• Contributing to improving products fits, making fit comments when BAA is not available and being able to discuss critical path deadlines in relation to fit approvals/rejections and communicate to suppliers.
• With support of the BAA, having responsibility for end to end sample management administrative duties and approvals.
• Managing the garment approval process from components to garment sealing.
• Carrying out risk assessments in collaboration with the technical team to identify potential issues demonstrating a greater understanding of production techniques and risks.
• Maintaining quality control; working with Technologist to ensure the supplier adheres to all White Stuff policies and procedures ensuring legal requirements are met and company standards of labelling and ticketing are followed.
• Working with the Technologist on any quality and delivery issues. Agreeing actions to be taken after discussions with Technologist, Buying Department and Supplier.

What we will offer you: As an Experienced Assistant Buyer at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

• Hybrid working – 4 days a week in the office – Mandatory Monday.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Up to 25 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays.
• 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community.
• 50% discount.
• Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance.
• Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance.
• Interest free season ticket loan.
• Pension Contribution.

We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age.