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- Tasks: Support the buying team in managing product lines and store communications.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a trusted global brand with over 230 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, 24 days holiday, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in buying with a creative and collaborative team culture.
- Qualifications: Degree level or retail/admin experience; strong numerical and organizational skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to continuous improvement and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
The Buying Assistant role is right at the heart of the buying team and is a great stepping-stone into a career in buying. You will support the category team by making it possible to get new ranges into stores and will be integral to delivering the day-to-day implementation.
What you will be doing:
- Managing the set up and maintenance of lines/range
- Sourcing new line information from suppliers
- Managing the store communications for category activations
- Maintaining the pricing and promotions for the category
- Managing the pricing of all lines/range including maintaining any necessary checks vs relevant competitors
- Managing the set up and maintenance of all promotional activity, including raising invoices and managing margin funding on the system
- Running ad-hoc data and analysis
- You will also form part of the wider admin community, driving continuous improvement to our processes
What we are looking for:
- Either degree level or retail/admin experience
- Computer literate – experience using Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint)
- Great stakeholder management
- Excellent admin and organizational ability
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
- Strong numerical skills
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills
- Proactive and resourceful
- Great team player
How we reward our teams:
- Hybrid working model from home and in the office
- 4pm Friday finish
- Flexible Working
- 24 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family friendly leave
- Company pension
- Sharesave Scheme
- Annual Bonus based on company and Personal Performance
- Competitive salary
- Staff discount card for stores and online
About us:
Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
WHSmith have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts since 1792. Across our diverse estate of c.525 stores on UK high streets, with our wide-ranging store sizes and formats, we sell a large range of products including stationery, greeting cards, art and craft, newspapers, magazines, books and drinks. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
WHSmith | Buying Admin Assistant- Drinks employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land WHSmith | Buying Admin Assistant- Drinks
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with WHSmith's product range, especially in the drinks category. Understanding their offerings will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the buying team.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your organizational skills and experience with data analysis. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed projects or data in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Buying Admin Assistant position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Share experiences where you successfully adapted to changes or handled multiple tasks simultaneously, as this aligns with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your proactive nature by preparing questions about WHSmith's future plans in the drinks category. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role, making you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace WHSmith | Buying Admin Assistant- Drinks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail or administration. Emphasize your organizational skills and any experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the Buying Admin Assistant role at WHSmith. Mention how your skills align with their needs, especially your ability to manage communications and support category activations.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. This could be through past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Highlight Teamwork and Adaptability: Since WHSmith values collaboration, mention instances where you worked effectively in a team. Also, illustrate your adaptability by sharing experiences where you thrived in changing circumstances.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Show Your Passion for Buying
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the buying process and how it impacts the overall business. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your interest in retail and buying.
✨Highlight Your Organizational Skills
Since the role requires excellent admin and organizational abilities, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in a fast-paced environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Numerical Skills
Prepare to showcase your strong numerical skills by discussing any experience you have with data analysis or pricing strategies. You might even want to bring examples of how you've used Excel to solve problems or analyze data.
✨Emphasize Team Collaboration
As a Buying Admin Assistant, you'll be part of a team. Share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams, highlighting your ability to communicate and collaborate with different stakeholders.
