Assistant Buyer – Homeware (Temporary)

About the Role

As an Assistant Buyer, you will work closely with the Buyer to help the department achieve sales, stock and margin targets. Your responsibilities include developing the product range, building and maintaining strong working relationships with suppliers, and supporting the Buyer in strategy implementation.

Strategy

• Provide defined reports that support the creation of strategy.
• Conduct market and trend research for a defined product range and create a strategy proposal.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of the Divisional and overall Matalan strategy.

Range Development for Defined Product Range

• Work with the Buyer & Merchandising team to shape the range, ensuring alignment with departmental strategy and KPI’s.
• Interpret trends with the Buyer and Designer, and develop commercial ranges within the agreed strategy framework.
• Pro‑actively bring insight and ideas to support the development of a wider range.
• Present specific ranges in a relevant and impactful way, ensuring correct samples are used and all products deliver the agreed margins with the Buyer’s support.
• Ensure pricing is benchmarked and aligned with company strategy.
• Fully understand the keyline process.

Trading

• Read and analyse Monday Trading Reports.
• Collaborate with the TAB to retrieve data and samples for Trade meetings on time.
• Highlight Best & Worst items, newness, problem lines and identify opportunities in a supporting commentary for weekly Trade and sign‑off.
• Maintain knowledge of keylines, NOOS lines and event lines for the department.
• Work with the Merchandising team to track the critical path, flagging issues or opportunities to the Buyer.
• Conduct regular shopping and benchmarking trips to highlight opportunities, price architecture and visual merchandising principles.
• Follow correct procedures to conduct regular store visits and report relevant feedback to the team.

Suppliers

• Pro‑actively build and maintain positive and professional relationships with key suppliers.
• Ensure communication with suppliers is relevant, regular and clear.

Divisional Support

• Prepare selection, sign‑off and supplier meetings accurately, organised and to a high standard.
• Understand Marketing protocol and needs.
• Understand packaging requirements for the defined range.
• Deputise for the buyer as required.
• Maintain good relationships with the TAB population, acting as a role model and providing support/mentorship as needed.
• Facilitate fit sessions when required.

About You

• Experienced in a Trainee or Assistant Buying role, preferably within fashion retail.
• Knowledgeable of key trends and market.
• Commercially aware.
• Capable of working independently to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate at all levels.
• Experience of development and coaching is essential.

Benefits

• 20% staff discount, increasing with length of service.
• Thrive Recognition Scheme.
• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust.
• Life Assurance.
• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers.
• Pension Scheme.
• Access to a wide range of career development.
• Additional benefits may apply depending on role and area of the business.

We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please let us know.

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