Role Purpose:

The Assistant Buyer is responsible for supporting the Buyer in all areas of category management. Playing a vital part in supporting the end to end process of launching new products. You will be working with your Buyer to support the sourcing of product and packaging to the agreed quality standard at the best price. You will be responsible for supporting you Buyer in achieving all critical path launch deadlines. You will be involved in category reviews, trend analysis, competitor shopping and product benchmarking. You will support the buyer in delivering the department strategy, and exceeding all financial targets.        

The ideal candidate with be organised, resilient and highly adaptable to the needs of the business. You will relish working in a fast paced creative environment. Highly effective at working as a team player, as well as competent in managing your own time. You will have a highly collaborative approach to your work and be an exceptional communicator, both written and spoken, confident in influencing stakeholders horizontally across the business. You will be able to demonstrate strong product skills, industry knowledge with an ability to identify and create market/product trends to realise new opportunities. A keen eye for detail in this role is essential. From analysing trade reports to troubleshooting potential product issues or artwork amendments. You will relish problem solving and enjoy the varied dynamic of no day being the same. You will be excellent in managing multiple tasks and projects at the same time and have a positive outlook and can do proactive attitude. You will enjoy the balance in this role encompassing both a need for being highly organised and structured to being highly creative and innovation led.

Reports to: 

Grocery Buyer

Key interfaces:

Merchandising, Retail, Marketing, International, Design, Online, & Technical

Key Accountabilities:

Product

*       Manage end to end process of launching new product ranges

*       Supporting the Buyer to ensure all materials are purchased on time, to specification, and at the best price available in line with the critical path

*       Supporting the Buyer in coordinating and delivery of product training

*       Supporting with benchmarking and tastings

Trading

*       Actively trade product area liaising with all relevant stakeholders

*       Supporting the Buyer on floor walks and site visits

*       Liaising closely with the merchandisers and ordering team to coordinate deliveries and maintain suitable stock levels. Providing support for; stock returns, quality investigations, new launches, out of stocks, packaging records

*       Work with the space planning team to review drop plans, in line the business requirements and seasonal demands

*       Running and updating trade reports on a Monday for analysis with the Buyer

Relationships 

*       Building and maintaining long term relationships with supplier and internal stakeholders

*       Working across the business to meet all the key needs from the online team through to marketing

System Data Management

*       Supporting the Buyer on processing all invoice queries and resolving them in a timely manor

*       Supporting customer services resolving questions in a timely manor

*       Maintaining a range plan

Trends

*       Demonstrate an authentic and passionate understanding of brand, product and the competition within the market

*       Identifying new and alternative sources of supply for products and making recommendations to the buyer

*       Supporting in the completion of competitor shops of product and pricing

*       Support the buyer to anticipate customer needs and expectations 

*       Undertakes the delivery of seasonal product calendars to capitalise on key events / holidays throughout year 

Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability)

We expect the successful candidate to have the following skills and experience: 

*       Demonstrable experience as a Senior Buying Administrator/Assistant or Assistant Buyer

*       Ability to manage time and workload with often competing priorities and varying demands of the business

*       Ability to maintain range plans across a multichannel business

*       Exceptionally high level of verbal and written communication skills

*       Ability to influence, effectively, with all team members and relevant key interfaces

*       Strong customer service focus when dealing with both internal and external parties

*       Ability to undertake duties autonomously as well as contribute to the wider team

*       Detailed orientated with high levels of numeracy and analytical skills

*       An interest in food trends and new products

*       Experience in Own Brand and New Product Development

*       Experience gained within a multichannel luxury/branded retail environment

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other’s differences, to create a truly inclusive environment. In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary
• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%
• 25 days holidays pro rata (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday
• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients
• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally
• Excellent pension scheme