At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product development from concept to delivery in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic business with high-profile clients in beauty and lifestyle.
- Benefits: Up to £35,000 salary, performance bonus, hybrid working, and career growth.
- Other info: Supportive team culture with hands-on responsibilities from day one.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects and collaborate with top brands.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in buying or product development with strong negotiation skills.
- Senior Assistant Buyer
- South Bank, Central London
- Beauty accessories / home and lifestyle
- Hybrid working - 3 days in the office 2 days WFH
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join a fast-paced, growing business with an impressive portfolio of high-profile clients.
This role is ideal for an experienced product development Assistant buyer who enjoys taking ownership of the full product lifecycle, from concept through to delivery, while working across a diverse range of consumer products.
You'll be joining a collaborative and supportive team where you'll have the opportunity to work on bespoke, high-volume projects, build strong supplier partnerships, and help develop innovative product ranges for well-known brands.
The Role
Reporting into the Buying team, you will be responsible for managing products from initial concept through sourcing, development and production, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
Key responsibilities include
- Managing the end-to-end buying and product development process.
- Working closely with design, sales and internal stakeholders to bring new product ideas to market.
- Sourcing and developing relationships with suppliers across the Far East, Europe and Turkey, while identifying new sourcing opportunities.
- Negotiating pricing, lead times and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Creating detailed product specifications and purchase orders.
- Monitoring critical paths to ensure projects are delivered on schedule.
- Working alongside technical and quality teams to ensure products meet all compliance and quality standards.
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- Building strong relationships with clients and attending meetings where required.
- Identifying opportunities to improve product ranges and introduce new ideas.
- Supporting and mentoring colleagues when appropriate.
About You
We're looking for an enthusiastic and commercially aware Assistant Buyer who enjoys working in a fast-moving environment and thrives on delivering exceptional products.
You'll ideally have
- Around 3-5 years' buying or product development experience.
- Experience sourcing products from international suppliers, particularly across the Far East and Europe.
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery.
- Experience managing multiple product categories and projects simultaneously.
- Outstanding organisation and project management skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with suppliers, clients and internal teams.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a willingness to get involved wherever needed.
- A passion for product, innovation and ethical sourcing.
- Graduate calibre or equivalent relevant experience.
- What's on Offer
- Salary up to £35,000
- Performance-related bonus
- Opportunity to work with recognised brands and exciting product ranges
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Career development within a growing business
- A varied and hands-on role with genuine responsibility from day one
If you're an experienced Assistant Buyer looking to take the next step in your career within a dynamic and creative business, we'd love to hear from you.
Senior Assistant Buyer employer: Zachary Daniels Recruitment
Join a globally recognised business in Manchester as a Strategic Product Director, where you will be part of a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and excellence. With competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, the company is committed to employee growth and development, offering unique opportunities to lead high-performing teams and shape impactful product strategies. This role not only promises a rewarding career but also the chance to make a significant difference in a market-leading organisation.
Contact Details:
Zachary Daniels Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Assistant Buyer
✨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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment, 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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Assistant Buyer
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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment, 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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment 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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels Recruitment
✨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!
