Assistant Buyer - Homes & Living

About the role

We have a great new opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our Electricals team  to develop and implement a departmental product range which satisfies customer requirements and delivers the core values and attributes of the FGH Brands whilst maximising demand and profitability.

This is a hybrid role, working at least 2 days each week in the office and the remainer at home.

Role Responsibilities

• To select a product range under the guidance of the Buyer, which maximises sales opportunities and anticipates and exceeds customer needs – including branded products
• Responsible for managing suppliers and brands, attending trade shows and attending buying appointments.
• Responsible for all web briefs - Set-up, manage and follow through to ensure product availability for live dates
• Review the market place and latest trends in pulling together samples and colour swatches from potential suppliers and in regard to price products of trends
• Manage buying development meetings for the department in absence of Buyer. Work with design, Merchandise and QA to develop range strategy.
• Assist the Buyer to create and compile detailed briefs for new developments and liaise with relevant markets
• Source merchandise to ensure product quality, value and continuity of supply in line with departmental aims
• Assist in range building and product selection
• Develop close relationships with suppliers to ensure timely and accurate samples are produced, work closely with QA to ensure procedures and approval process is to agreed policies and best practice standards
• Manage the critical path dates and schedules to ensure deadlines are met including Photography, sampling, loading, Promotional events and trade actions
• Write product copy and loading cross-sells
• Manage an accurate range plan
• Review in-season trade for the Buyer
• Liaise with Web Content Team and E-Commerce to ensure product copy and photographs reflect the product accurately and offer suggestions for improvement where necessary
• Set-up, manage and follow through all buying administration systems and procedures to ensure product availability and on-time delivery
• Collate information on the supplier’s performance in preparation for the supplier review including Brands both stock and Direct Despatch.
• Manage the sample room and sample process, ensuring the sample room and basement storage is kept tidy and samples are available for photography and PR opportunities when required
• Present and report on season performance and build a new strategy based on this.

About you

• Proven experience of working within a Buying Team
• Competitor knowledge and understanding in both retail, Home shopping and online
• Understanding of core target customer types and end-use of offer
• Experience of working cross-functionally within a business 
• Commercial awareness and understanding of KPIs 
• Analytical and data savvy 
• Excellent organisational skills 
• Ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace
•  Excellent communication skills both written and verbal 
• Flexible and positive attitude and approach to work
• MS office, especially EXCEL
• Understanding/appreciation of contracts and supplier onboarding
• Confident presenter and comfortable with MS PowerPoint 
• Maths and English grade C or above, or equivalent GCSE – A Levels
• Able to commute to Bradford city centre
• Occasional business travel which may include an overnight stay 

Desirable

• Experience of supplier liaison meets  
• Knowledge of working with brands
• Understanding/appreciation of contracts and supplier onboarding
• Confident presenter and comfortable with MS PowerPoint 

Why FGH?

Our staff enjoy competitive benefits including staff discount, generous annual leave, healthcare cash plan together with a vibrant, colourful, creative and flexible working atmosphere. With our competitive benefits, and supportive teams our staff enjoy helping us on our mission and benefit greatly from the challenges that come with working for a successful retailer.

About us

Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) is based in West Yorkshire and is part of the OTTO Group – one of the world's largest online retailers.

Home to familiar brands such as Freemans, Grattan and Kaleidoscope, we have over 100 years of experience. 

We're on a mission to help our customers live their best lives through a choice of quality basics, the brands they love and credible exclusive product supported by easy and rewarding ways to pay.

We offer excellent service and delivery seven days a week, with so much going for us - why not be part of the story.

We have over 600 UK employees working for us in various functions, including Marketing and Creative, Customer Experience, Warehousing and Logistics, Financial Services, Transformation, Buying and Merchandising, IT and Support Services. 

Our values of Resilience, Empathy, Ambition, Commitment, and Honesty underpin our vibrant and dynamic culture.

We're heading for some exciting and challenging places, so why not join us and be part of our vision to create a modern, digital retailer with powerful customer brands, exciting product and compelling financial services.