Assistant Buyer opportunities » London, Greater London (2024)

From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

We have a hybrid approach working 3 days in the office

We are looking to speak to passionate and product-focused experienced Womenswear Assistant Buyer's! If you love what M&S is doing and what to transform your Buying career please apply to this incredible opportunity!

What youll do

Your key accountabilities will include

• Support the Buyer by displaying a clear understanding of M&S customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer developed
• Support the Buyer working with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual global range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer
• Work with the Buyer to analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters including price architecture, colour balance, shape and margin to deliver a highly commercial and balanced range. Promote and support the collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to help develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade, as well as negotiating the best prices and lead times with supplier to achieve the gross margin buying target
• To support the Buyer with the co-ordination and development of product Tech Packs, working with Design, Technology and Sourcing Offices to achieve better hit rates and taking accountability to ensure Tech Packs are delivered complete and on time to minimise sampling lead times
• To work with the Buyer to manage the departmental critical path (including supporting approvals), providing guidance and direction to junior members of the Buying team as well as other participants in the buying and global product development To own and drive the production critical path.
• To develop strong working relationships with, and understanding of, external roles such as merchandising, technical, design, International as well as building networks across the wider structure. Manage BAAs to ensure efficient product & sample management across the buying floor in order to meet all H&S Support BAA training and development to help upskill teams.
• To actively participate in coordinating and presenting the global range for sign-off and effectively managing systemic elements of the buying process, ensuring the timely completion of relevant systemic approvals and processes

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Already working to an Assistant Buyer level at a fast-paced fashion retailer
• A passion for product! We are a product focused business and want to meet people who are as passionate as us about our fabulous product!
• Experience of cost price negotiation is a plus. Experience in developing a comprehensive product range including marketing and packaging which satisfies all customers future requirements
• Good understanding of global retail market place with the ability to identify relevant product trends
• Basic understanding of Merchandise Planning & ability to understand M&S Buying systems End to End and manage systems accountabilities for the Department. Critical Path Management
• Proactive in agreeing to take on Buyer responsibilities. Highly organised and self-motivated, accustomed to leading by example and taking the initiative
• Highly organised and self-motivated, accustomed to leading by example and taking the initiative

Everyones welcome

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. Thats why were revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Theres never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

Were an in-person business and have core collaboration days in our Support Centre each week. For most teams, this is 3 working days where we come together to collaborate, innovate, and serve our customers brilliantly.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.