BUYING ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

A Buying Assistant keeps seasonal assortments moving. Without accurate purchase order management, on-time vendor communication, and current Open-to-Buy tracking, a retail buying team cannot respond to trade signals quickly enough to protect margin or stock position. This role sits within the merchandising function, typically reporting to a Buyer or Senior Buyer, and owns the operational layer that makes strategic buying decisions executable. Across fashion apparel, home goods, and multi-category retail environments, the Buying Assistant handles the analytical and administrative work that turns range plans into live product on the floor or site.

As the Buying Assistant, you own the purchase order lifecycle, vendor communication cadence, and sales reporting that keep a retail buying team commercially accurate and on schedule. You work within the merchandising department alongside Buyers, Planners, and cross-functional partners in marketing and distribution, covering both in-store and eCommerce channels.

Career Impact: Hands-on exposure to seasonal assortment planning, Open-to-Buy management, and vendor negotiation builds a measurable track record that distinguishes junior buyers in the retail market.

Business Impact: Accurate purchase order execution and timely stock management directly determine whether the right product reaches the right channel at the right margin each season.

Growth Opportunity: The Buying Assistant role is a recognized stepping stone to a Buyer position, with scope to expand into category ownership and seasonal financial planning as competency grows.

• Manage the full purchase order process, including creation, cost updates, date changes, and vendor confirmations.
• Maintain and update Open-to-Buy sheets daily to ensure inventory positions reflect current trade performance.
• Analyze weekly sales reports and present findings to the Buyer with recommended actions for re-orders or markdowns.
• Coordinate vendor relationships by resolving shipment discrepancies, chasing late deliveries, and escalating unresolved issues.
• Support seasonal range reviews by preparing assortment boards, competitive analysis, and pre-buy data summaries.
• Process product setup in buying systems, including SKU creation, pricing uploads, and item database maintenance.
• Liaise with distribution, marketing, and eCommerce teams to align on product launches, imagery, and promotional timelines.
• Monitor competitor activity weekly and report findings on pricing, product mix, and promotional strategies.

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of buying, merchandising, or retail operations experience, with exposure to purchase order management.
• Working knowledge of retail math, including Open-to-Buy calculations, margin analysis, and sell-through rates.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders and vendor relationships simultaneously.
• Analytical ability to interpret sales data, identify trends, and translate findings into clear buying recommendations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for daily coordination with vendors, stores, and internal teams.
• High attention to detail and accuracy when entering, updating, and reconciling product and cost data.

• Experience supporting a buying team within fashion apparel, homewares, or a multi-category retail environment.
• Familiarity with Open-to-Buy planning processes and seasonal financial planning in a retail merchandising context.
• Prior exposure to eCommerce product uploads, digital asset coordination, or marketplace trading activities.
• Previous buying internship or merchandising assistant role within a mid-size or large retail organization.

• Purchase order accuracy rate, measuring the proportion of orders entered without pricing or date errors.
• Open-to-Buy variance, tracking how closely weekly inventory receipts align with the approved financial plan.
• Vendor on-time delivery rate, reflecting how consistently suppliers meet confirmed ship date commitments.
• Competitive analysis completion rate, measuring timely weekly submission of market and pricing reports to the Buyer.
• Sell-through rate of assisted categories, indicating how well ordered assortments are performing against plan.
• Typical tools: Spreadsheet and reporting applications (commonly Excel or Google Sheets); retail buying and inventory platforms (commonly NetSuite, SAP, or equivalent ERP systems).

• Base Salary Range: $42,000 to $58,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
• Bonus: annual performance bonus of 5 to 10 percent of base salary, where applicable.
• Equity: not typically offered at this level in retail buying roles.
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most retail employers.
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus public holidays, with variation by employer.
• Common Perks: Employee merchandise discount, retail market access, and professional development support toward a Buyer role.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role, and all candidates will be evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the course of employment. Candidates must hold valid authorization to work in the United States at the time of application.

The Buying Assistant owns the end-to-end covermount buying cycle for a portfolio of magazine titles, managing rolling plans, supplier negotiations, and budget oversight to keep children's magazines at the forefront of covermount quality and innovation. Working with internal teams and external suppliers, this role delivers compliant, on-time covermounts while maintaining ethical sourcing standards across an audited factory base.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the development of a rolling plan for a portfolio of magazine covermounts in line with the title strategy.
• Develop creative ideas for magazine covermounts to ensure children's magazines remain market leaders in quality and innovation.
• Serve as the day-to-day contact for all internal and external interfaces that the role demands.
• Oversee all buying systems including FileMaker and purchase order systems, ensuring information is correctly input, accurate, and up-to-date.
• Manage the supply base and assist in negotiating with external suppliers to achieve the best possible price for all covermounts.
• Assist with ensuring a detailed product quality and safety procedure is carried out for each ordered covermount and control the management of all associated safety and testing data.
• Ensure covermounts are sourced only from ethically audited factories in adherence with all elements of the ethical policy.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of buying experience.
• Solid experience in sourcing product and negotiating with suppliers, both in the UK and overseas.
• Track record of successfully managing, leading, and developing others in a fast-paced buying environment.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to assume responsibility and manage peaks and troughs in workload.
• Ability to persuade and influence others, tailor communication style, and present ideas confidently.
• Consistent top performer who pushes self and others for results and seizes opportunities proactively.
• Builds rapport easily at all levels and works as part of a team through shared ambition, communication, and collaboration.
• Dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers, using first-hand information to drive improvements.

The Assistant Buyer II is a collaborator, providing operational support to the Buyer with a focus on business management and problem solving to develop buying expertise. Embedded within a buying team, the Buying Assistant delivers actionable Open-to-Buy reporting, merchandise analysis, and vendor relationship management that strengthen assortment decisions and inventory outcomes across assigned classifications.

Core Functions

• Perform operational functions supporting a buying team by providing ongoing analysis and interpretation of key business issues including merchandise reports, Open-to-Buy monitoring, and stock analysis.
• Anticipate potential problems and risks, generate ideas and solutions, and propose and execute resolutions for issues identified during data analysis.
• Manage merchandising systems and all planning tools such as financial plans and ladder plans, and own reporting processes including OTB, UDA, and Shipping to provide actionable business recommendations.
• Manage relationships with internal cross-functional partners and external vendors to ensure key shipments are delivered and troubleshoot issues and negotiate with vendors accordingly.
• Establish and maintain a reputation of credibility and responsiveness, eliciting critical information from vendors regarding market trends and competitor buying activity.
• Demonstrate advanced product knowledge by sharing findings from competitive shopping and making recommendations on assortment mix with an understanding of price and value relationships.
• Utilise product knowledge to take initiative and find new resources and creative methods of sourcing product to impact the assortment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• One to two years of prior merchant or Assistant Buyer experience in a regional-size retailer or large retail chain.
• Thorough knowledge of merchandising and understanding of the technical aspects of merchandising.
• Strong retail math skills and strong analytical and conceptual skills with the ability to independently analyse business and make recommendations.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in negotiation skills.
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong PC and Microsoft Office skills with an emphasis on Excel spreadsheet application.

The Assistant Buyer contributes to rue21's results by supporting the Buyers in all product selection, price negotiation and purchasing decisions of the Merchandising Department. Reporting to the Buyers and GMM, the Buying Assistant manages purchase order processing, Open-to-Buy maintenance, and vendor communications to keep the Merchandising Department running efficiently and in alignment with the company's inclusive values.

Primary Duties

• Process all purchase orders, including coding and communicating information to vendors.
• Work with vendors and buyers to support negotiation of purchase order terms including cost.
• Update the purchase order system for retail changes, cost changes, and extension dates.
• Serve as intermediary between buyers and vendors on issues including cancellation of orders.
• Maintain and update Open-to-Buy and recap sheets daily, weekly, and monthly.
• Communicate with the Distribution Center on problems related to order shipping issues.
• Analyse reports and make recommendations for merchandise re-orders.
• Review all reports to update Buyers and GMM, and answer vendor inquiries.
• Commit to supporting the company's vision, mission, and values of an inclusive environment and set an example within sphere of influence.

Skills and Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in assistant buying preferred.
• Buying internship preferred.
• Prior retail experience preferred.
• Ability to operate independently while establishing strong working relationships with co-workers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt well to change in direction and priority in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations.
• Strong, professional, and effective verbal and written communication skills with engaging interpersonal and presentation skills.
• High degree of proficiency in MS Office Suite, Outlook, and Internet applications.
• Efficient organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills with critical attention to detail and deadlines.

The Assistant Buyer supports the Buyer and VP of Operations while providing information and communications to vendors, stores, and management teams. Sitting at the intersection of purchasing operations and cross-functional coordination, the Buying Assistant manages the full purchase order lifecycle, eCommerce product uploads, and vendor reconciliation to maintain data integrity and support company-wide sales objectives.

Duties

• Perform administrative and operational functions to support the buying team.
• Manage the full lifecycle of a purchase order, including entering purchase orders, creating SKUs, entering transfers, and maintaining updates.
• Update special order logs, master vendor files, catalogs, and pricelists, and order fabric and finish samples.
• Work with vendors and stores to coordinate product training, and set up product knowledge and product preview files for stores.
• Liaise with Ecommerce and vendors to gather item descriptions, dimensions, and weights, request hi-res images, and monitor the daily upload of new product on the company website.
• Set up assortment boards, prepare reports, and participate in discussions in meetings, working with the Buyer on presentations.
• Organise picture files for best seller reporting, picture purchase orders, assortment boards, assortment sheets, eCommerce, and system uploads.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Two or more years of assistant buyer experience specifically in a retail business environment.
• Knowledge of retail math and operations.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong time management and organisation skills with the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to supervisors and other employees.
• Extremely organised and detail-oriented with the drive to succeed.

We have an exciting opportunity in our London office for a Buyer's Admin Assistant to join our growing Activewear team. A key member of the Activewear product team, the Buying Assistant maintains the critical path, manages the sample library, and provides sales analysis support, collaborating across suppliers, garment tech, and the buying and merchandising team to keep the product approval process on track.

Accountabilities

• Provide effective administration support to the product team and maintain accurate filing.
• Ensure the approval process runs smoothly and maintain strong relationships with all suppliers.
• Maintain the critical path and understand key assumptions behind it.
• Support the garment tech in fitting samples by taking notes, chasing results, and filing as required.
• Develop an understanding of weekly sales and line reports to assist the buying and merchandising team in identifying trading risks and opportunities.
• Provide all necessary ad-hoc analysis as required by the buyer, such as competitive shops.
• Stay aware of current trends within activewear and actively follow relevant blogs and social media channels.

Experience and Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Buyer's Admin Assistant.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload with proven administrative ability.
• Excellent PC skills in Microsoft Word and Excel with an emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a focus on solutions.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and keen to progress and develop.
• Active team player who constantly contributes and supports other members.

Shoppe Amber Interiors is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join our team in Calabasas, CA. Accurate inventory and vendor outcomes depend on the Buying Assistant, who manages internal product systems, purchase orders, and competitor trend analysis to support merchandising strategies and drive revenue growth within the home interiors category.

Role Responsibilities

• Manage and update internal systems with regard to product information including product cost, pricing, backorder dates, and availability status.
• Manage purchase orders including vendor set up, creation, revisions, maintenance, cancellations, and tracking, and research and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders and vendor invoices.
• Communicate with the fulfillment team on purchase order receiving, vendor quality issues, and seasonal launches.
• Establish positive vendor relationships to obtain the best pricing and terms possible.
• Prepare weekly analysis of competitor trends, promotions, and overall assortments to present to the Merchandising Team.
• Maintain awareness of competition relative to product value relationship and customer profitability within category.

Background and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• One to two years in a retail buying or merchandising role.
• Strong understanding and experience using MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage deadlines.
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail and a strong sense of urgency in responding to internal and external customers.
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities.
• NetSuite experience is a plus.

Assist the Buyers and Director in driving top-line results in the assigned category while maintaining margins, product selection, and supply. As the Buying Assistant, this role develops innovative merchandising strategies, manages product lifecycle and site discoverability, and coordinates with Marketing, Operations, Customer Service, and Sales to grow category performance across retail and eCommerce channels.

What You'll Do

• Develop plans and work to ensure all items are uploaded in a timely manner to support business.
• Support the Buyers in analysing the business and help develop innovative merchandising strategies.
• Manage product lifecycle, website maintenance, price changes, and inventory validation.
• Perform competitive analysis of the current market and competitors to make educated recommendations for price and product changes.
• Build relationships with vendors, suppliers, and other cross-functional partners.
• Perform regular analysis of product and category performance on-site and manage product discoverability through general site merchandising to increase sales.
• Partner with vendors to acquire digital imagery, marketing assets, and physical samples of new and existing products.
• Help prepare for monthly vendor meetings and tradeshows, and coordinate with multiple cross-functional departments including Marketing, Operations, Customer Service, and Sales.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Merchandising or Business or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
• Two or more years of retail and eCommerce assistant buyer experience, with off-price and discount experience preferred.
• Experience managing a high volume of SKUs and multiple vendor partnerships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to prioritise, multitask, and adapt to the demands of the business.
• Comfortable working both with the team and independently.

We are looking for a passionate assistant buyer with experience in Construction Industry to support our purchasing department with the selection and procurement of products. Buying Assistant coordinates product selection, purchase order tracking, and vendor negotiations across a construction-focused supply base, with the work directly supporting budget forecasting and inventory management outcomes for the purchasing department.

Scope of Work

• Assist the buyer with the selection of the right product mix and write, place, and track purchase orders.
• Ensure products are purchased at the right time, to specification, and at a good price.
• Negotiate with vendors and build positive, long-term relationships, and research new suppliers and make recommendations to the buyer.
• Prepare competitive retail and pricing strategies.
• Plan, monitor, and maintain suitable inventory levels.
• Prepare budgets and forecast purchasing trends.
• Compile reports on product performance and statistics.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Degree in business, economics, marketing, or related field preferred.
• Previous experience in the merchandising or retail industry is a plus.
• Experience with merchandising software systems is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure.

Assist, coordinate and support the Retail Buyer for the Tommy Hilfiger Outlet channel across all categories for the end to end buying process. Reporting to the Retail Buyer, the Buying Assistant manages purchase orders, supplier liaison, and weekly sales review across all apparel categories, working closely with the distribution team and stores to deliver accurate stock management and competitive range assortments.

Key Deliverables

• Create, maintain, reserve, and close purchase orders ensuring accurate stock management.
• Serve as the point of contact to manage and liaise with factories and chase stock deliveries from suppliers.
• Review weekly sales and assist with post-seasonal analysis for trade meetings and range plans.
• Work closely with the distribution team to ensure effective movement of stock through the business.
• Create product range books and assist with the preparation of range reviews and the product assortment process.
• Complete competitor analysis weekly, ensuring understanding of the market and product assortments.
• Build strong relationships with stores, coordinate store communications, conduct store visits, and execute action plans.

Position Requirements

• Previous experience in a similar role supporting a retail buying team within fashion apparel.
• Previous experience using SAP and Qlikview preferred.
• Strong computer literacy skills with Microsoft Office, especially Excel including Vlookups.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and a focus on problem-solving.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Exceptional organisation skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritise, and follow up with key stakeholders.

Embedded within a retail buying office, the Buying Assistant produces seasonal merchandise strategies, manages vendor negotiations, and oversees promotional and marketing processes to achieve sales, margin, and inventory targets across both in-store and online channels. Working closely with Planning, Omni, and Marketing teams, this role enables accurate financial forecasting and the development of a Merchandise Assistant.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Assist the buyer in achieving sales and gross margin and manage day-to-day operations of the buying office.
• Establish and maintain vendor relationships, oversee vendor support, and manage store communication.
• Recap and analyse selling, category, and vendor performance.
• Manage promotional activities to drive in-season business.
• Attend market appointments prepared with strategic assortment plans and an understanding of product with a customer-centric approach.
• Negotiate buying terms and end-of-season arrangements with vendors.
• Execute a seasonal merchandise strategy based on customer needs, product performance, industry trends, and business analytics.
• Accurately forecast monthly receipts and manage inventory flow.
• Partner with the Planner in developing seasonal financial plans and budgets.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Previous experience using SAP and Qlikview preferred.
• Strong leadership, management, communication, customer service, and organisation skills.
• Exceptionally strong Excel skills.
• Flexible and able to perform in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Reporting to the Buyer, the Buying Assistant refines seasonal buying strategies by selecting product, negotiating purchase terms, and compiling data to support financial targets across an assigned category. The buying and planning teams rely on this work to ensure assortment decisions align with customer needs, margin goals, and a clear strategic vision.

Job Functions

• Select product, communicate with vendors, and conduct assortment planning and development for the assigned product category.
• Support and compile data as needed to aid in developing seasonal strategies and financial targets.
• Attend meetings between Buying and Planning.
• Negotiate all facets of product purchase including terms, price, and quantities.
• Exhibit professional conduct in all business relationships, actions, and communications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in product development is a plus.
• Proficient PC skills and ability to work with computer applications and programs such as MS Excel and Word.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct analysis, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Able to multi-task, prioritise work, and meet deadlines.
• Strong sense of style and ability to carry out a strategic vision.

The Buying Assistant oversees purchase order development, ship date management, and vendor partnership coordination, reporting progress and resolving shipping issues directly with the Buying Director. The work directly supports accurate inventory flow, item database integrity, and consistent merchandise sample availability across the business.

Areas of Ownership

• Develop purchase orders and coordinate with vendors to secure merchandise.
• Make ship date adjustments and resolve shipping problems, relaying issues to the Buying Director.
• Assist in managing the timely placement and maintenance of purchase orders and setting up new items in the item database.
• Assist in vendor selection and in developing and maintaining strong vendor partnerships.
• Develop sales unit performance reports and ensure merchandise samples are maintained accordingly.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Previous experience in the merchandising or retail industry is a plus.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning software systems is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Organised and detail-oriented with the ability to follow through with multiple tasks at once.
• Excellent written, verbal, and problem-solving skills with good numerical ability.

Multi store luxury womenswear company is looking for an experienced assistant buyer to join our team. A key member of the womenswear buying team, the Buying Assistant attends trade shows and vendor appointments, conducts brand research and trend tracking, and manages purchase orders and daily vendor sales reports, collaborating with the lead buyer and ownership to drive merchandise selection across boutique locations.

Operational Focus

• Attend trade shows, showroom, and vendor appointments, and help facilitate and attend vendor trunk shows.
• Conduct weekly check-ins with boutiques on customer requests and store needs, and carry out boutique site visits to ensure merchandise is properly represented.
• Assist with sales associate brand training on new vendors.
• Organise and submit vendor RTVs, and conduct new brand research, outreach, and trend tracking.
• Work with the lead buyer and ownership on merchandise selections.
• Research vendor sell-through evaluations.
• Enter purchase orders, run daily vendor sales reports, and manage vendor communications and submissions.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in a womenswear buying role.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills for effective vendor and internal liaison.
• Ability to communicate openly with vendors via email and phone.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of other languages.

This is an exciting position to work with the Buyer of this Global company. Reporting to the Buyer, the Buying Assistant advances purchase order creation and open order management within a global manufacturing environment, coordinating with suppliers to meet production schedules and supporting broader purchasing and supplier management activities as assigned.

Work Activities

• Perform administrative duties within the purchasing environment and create purchase orders for indirect and direct purchased items.
• Ensure on-time delivery of open orders and expedite as needed to support current production schedules.
• Support and coordinate other purchasing and supplier management activities as assigned.
• Run open order reports and follow up with suppliers on late purchase orders.
• Assist buyers as needed with day-to-day purchasing activities.

Experience and Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Two to three years of purchasing and expediting experience.
• Past experience with MRP and ERP systems.
• Experience in a manufacturing and engineering environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to thrive in a busy, fast-paced team environment.

The Buying Assistant coordinates purchase order creation, marketplace product uploads, and competitive pricing analysis across eCommerce and marketplace platforms, working with sales and marketing partners to grow assigned categories. Based within a buying and merchandising function, this role enables accurate demand forecasting and margin improvement through structured reporting and RFQ management.

Core Responsibilities

• Monitor key trading tasks such as purchase order management, stock management, fragmentation, and product returns.
• Assist with the day-to-day coordination of eCommerce marketplace activities including product uploads, reporting, and organising stock transfers.
• Compile reports on product performance and statistics, and perform cost and scenario analysis and benchmarking.
• Coordinate with sales and marketing for the growth of category, and conduct competitive analysis for product and pricing.
• Budget, forecast, and analyse market trends to identify changes in specific categories.
• Manage new product uploads, category builds, product detail maintenance, and promotional activities.
• Determine quantity and timing of deliveries and monitor and forecast upcoming levels of demand.
• Create purchase orders and follow up with vendors and partners for delivery, and work on RFQ requests.

Technical Qualifications

• Two to three years of previous experience in the merchandising, buying, eCommerce, or retail industry is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with eCommerce and marketplace platforms.
• Experience with merchandising, inventory, and software systems is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills with strong merchandising experience.
• Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure.

Sitting at the intersection of procurement and global retail buying, the Buying Assistant prepares category proposals, maintains product portfolios across multiple databases, and coordinates closely with Sourcing, CR, and Supply Chain Management to ensure smooth operations of the buying process. Operating across international brand guidelines and cross-functional teams, this role enables accurate, timely delivery of new product development review sessions and tender documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Review the layout of packaging materials, user manuals, and assembly instructions in accordance with international brand style guides and relevant guidelines.
• Assist in the review session on the development of potential new products for the national buying area.
• Maintain close collaboration with Sourcing, CR, and Supply Chain Management team members to ensure smooth operations of the buying process.
• Prepare, maintain, and update the International Category Proposal, timeline, tender schedule, and product portfolios in the system and different databases.
• Support the team in other ad-hoc activities as required.

Education and Experience

• Degree holder in Procurement, Business Administration, or other relevant disciplines.
• High level of computer literacy in MS Office.
• Attentive to details with good analytical and organisational skills.
• Good team player with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership.
• Good command of both verbal and written business English and Chinese.

Own all administrative tasks to support the buying team, ensuring the right information is available in the right place at the right time. Reporting to the buying team, the Buying Assistant guides the flow of supplier queries, stakeholder communications, and document consolidation across store, supply chain, trade planning, and marketing functions to keep buying operations accurate and responsive.

Core Functions

• Manage supplier queries including promotions, pricing, invoicing, and miscellaneous product mechanics.
• Provide store bulletins when necessary on products and promotions.
• Deal with a stakeholder network including store, supply chain, trade planning, marketing, and other various support functions.
• Maintain up-to-date files and trackers, and manage email and telephone communications.
• Prepare and consolidate all documents such as item confirmations, tenders, and supplier contracts in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Strong desire and passion to pursue a career in buying.
• Good commercial and financial understanding with strong numerical ability.
• Ability to manage multiple requirements to short timescales with a desire to give excellent customer service.
• Ability to analyse complex data and use initiative to seek out solutions.
• Good attention to detail with a persistent and positive attitude and self-motivated planning and organisation skills.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively whether face to face, by telephone, or by email.

Assist with the smooth implementation of category plans including range reviews, promotions, pricing, and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives. Collaborating with the Marketing team, the Buying Assistant executes buyer-led promotion strategies, supports new product setup, and works toward independently managing a product category as a pathway for career progression.

Accountabilities

• Collaborate with the Marketing team to implement buyer-led marketing promotion plans and strategies.
• Adhere to legislation and brand guidelines.
• Help with the review and evaluation of the effectiveness of promotions.
• Assist with the smooth implementation of new product setup, including checking retail and cost prices.
• Buy own product category once settled into the role to support future progression.

Qualifications and Experience

• Excellent organisational and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent PC skills in Microsoft Office packages, especially Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work to deadlines and prioritise workload.
• Able to work both following process and on own initiative, flexible and adaptable.
• Confident and energetic team player with a passion for developing a career in buying.

Reporting to the Buyer, this position is required to provide essential operational, analytical and administrative support to the Buying team. Reporting to the Buyer, the Buying Assistant designs seasonal purchase orders, analyses cross-channel sales performance, and manages stock transfers, brand events, and vendor relationships to maximise in-season margin and sell-through targets within a luxury multichannel retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Buyer in all aspects of the buying cycle and effectively manage deliveries and weekly reports.
• Conduct all pre-buy analysis prior to each market and manage the schedule for buying trips.
• Write and create the season's purchase orders and develop and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Analyse sales across all channels and propose action plans that maximise in-season performance to deliver seasonal targets.
• Attend weekly floor walks with the Buyer in store and work closely with the Retail team to help achieve margin and sell-through targets and receive client feedback.
• Liaise with the Marketing and VM teams to create customer awareness and push sales where needed, and organise in-store brand training.
• Manage stock transfers between stores, research and forecast new brands and trends, and prepare competitive retail and pricing strategies.
• Participate in key brand events as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant degree, preferably in Buying and Merchandising.
• Demonstrable experience in a buying department, preferably within a luxury multichannel environment.
• Excellent Excel skills including a range of formulas and VLookups.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to plan and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines.
• Experience maintaining a high level of attention to detail and accuracy when dealing with data.
• Highly organised with demonstrable multi-tasking skills and the ability to use initiative to solve problems.
• Effective communication skills, both written and oral, with passion and motivation to learn about product and consumer.