Assistant Buyer

DCK Group

20d ago

Job
Full-time
Junior & Mid Level
Quick Apply

AI generated summary

You need minimal supervision, a relevant degree or experience, strong numerical and organizational skills, and the ability to manage your workload and others effectively.
You will manage samples, purchase orders, and data accuracy, support meetings, monitor competitors, and assist in product preparation and approvals, ensuring timely processes and effective communication.

Requirements

You require minimal supervision on day-to-day tasks, demonstrating a core understanding of the requirements of the AB role, and are capable of effectively managing the critical path and key milestones effectively.
Ideally educated to degree level or equivalent, in academic or fashion subject and or relevant experience.
Competent numerical skills for negotiation and trading.
Fully understand the impact of all range decision on margin % and value for the business.
Strong organisational and task management skills, with the ability to manage own workload and oversee the work of others.

Responsibilities

Ensure that samples, sign off and purchase orders remain on critical path throughout the season highlighting any potential risks to the buyer/merchandiser.
Support with trip preparation as required
Support your Buyer in virtual trip meetings, taking every opportunity to learn and develop your negotiation skills and develop product knowledge, taking notes and actioning changes where necessary. Support the JB as required to maintain data accuracy and integrity across all buying spreadsheets and WFX
Ensure that data is accurate on PO’s to minimise errors/queries from the suppliers
Manage post sign off process to ensure PO’s are raised on time, securing required delivery dates are agreed with the supplier before raising.
Create host PLU sheets ensuring that all data is accurate and shared with the hosts in a timely manner
Ensure that host codes are updated in DCK systems/shared with relevant third parties to allow for suppliers to order barcodes in good times and ensuring that stock scans in stores
Monitor BA ET, acting as the first point of escalation for any issues identified during ET
Organise team ET meetings ensuring that all are attending as required.
Layout product on stands according to your brand principles ready for product meetings and reviews.
Manage commitment ensuring WFX is updated in a timely manner, agreeing dates with merchandiser and buyer as required, escalating any patterns or issues as well as supporting the BA in actioning changes if necessary
Collate samples to send to supply base for sourcing/costing as directed by the buyer
Request initial prices from the supplier and share with buyer before samples are called in
Support with the creation of enquiry/product development sheets as directed by the Buyer/JB
Offer solutions to cost engineer product where margin does not align to brands KPI, with guidance from the Buyer
Chase in samples in preparation for sign offs/approval meetings
Work alongside compliance team to ensure that products are fit for purpose during development stages
Action approval comments with suppliers communicating all comments clearly ensuring that the buyer is made aware of any changes that impact margin
Check all samples are as requested before showing to the buyer, escalating any issues and patterns accordingly
Manage photography process, ensuring that samples are sent to photography in line with critical path timings and that submission sheets are created accurately, supporting the BA with this task as required
Participate in weekly team trade meetings, putting forward ideas to contribute to sales and profit for the brand.
Support in preparation for trade meetings. Managing any sample boards that need to be created in time for the trade meetings.
Be commercially aware of your competitors, feeding back to the wider team.
Add any required reworks to the rework database, ensuring all details required by the DC are completed accurately. Provide the buyer/merchandiser with costs (after they have been added by the DC) to enable the buyer / merchandiser to quote costs and gain director sign off.
Monitor reworks until completion, highlighting any delays reported by the DC and resolving any issues.
Regularly review competitors, ensuring products and packaging remain ahead of the competition
Regularly visit stores to review delivery of product ranges, feeding back to the team your findings, driving actions and opportunities
Manage New Packaging requirements as required, working on behalf of the buying team to ensure that new packaging is designed and costed, chasing in agreed samples, ensuring that the samples are signed off, By the Buyer / Buying & Sourcing Director and requesting codes be added to WFX by the Sourcing Operations & Logistics team.
Manage the preparation of products to be dressed on stands prior to sign off, ensuring the BA has the required cards / labels to prepare the product, assisting the BA with carding and the JB with dressing the stands as required
Support with preparation for host meetings as directed by the Buyer

FAQs

What is the location of the Assistant Buyer position?

The Assistant Buyer position is located in our Billericay office, Essex.

What are the core working hours?

The core working hours are from 10am to 4pm, with 4pm finishes every Friday.

How many paid holidays do employees receive?

Employees receive 25 days of paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Is there an opportunity for professional development in this role?

Yes, the role provides opportunities to learn and develop negotiation skills and product knowledge through various meetings and team activities.

What type of skills are required for the Assistant Buyer role?

Required skills include strong organisational and task management abilities, competent numerical skills for negotiation, and a core understanding of critical path management.

Will I be working independently or as part of a team?

You will be working as part of a team, supporting your Buyer and collaborating with colleagues while managing your own tasks.

What qualifications are preferred for this role?

Ideally, candidates should be educated to degree level or equivalent in an academic or fashion subject, along with relevant experience.

What is the role of the Assistant Buyer in product management?

The Assistant Buyer collates samples for sourcing, manages the approval process, and communicates with suppliers to ensure that products fit the requirements.

Are there any specific expectations regarding competitor analysis?

Yes, you are expected to regularly review competitors and provide feedback to the team on product ranges and packaging to maintain a competitive edge.

How does the Assistant Buyer contribute to trading meetings?

The Assistant Buyer participates in weekly team trade meetings, contributes ideas to increase sales and profit, and prepares necessary materials for the meetings.

DCK Group

Established in 1992, DCK Group is the UK’s leading independent global fashion jewellery business.

Retail & Consumer Goods

Industry

1001-5000

Employees

1992

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

DCK Group is one of the world’s leading fashion jewellery retailers/wholesalers, working with many leading High Street brands. We operate B2B and B2C, trade our own website and have extensive retail and logistics operational capability. We source more than 24million pieces of jewellery a year. More recently we have developed and traded our own clothing ranges and accessories brands and together with jewellery, are able to offer the most exciting and on trend styles on line and on the high street. We operate with over 30 retailers, globally, from Distribution Centres worldwide and have offices in the UK, Hong Kong and China. This is an exciting time for us where we are looking to continue with our ambitious growth plans. At DCK our values are fundamental to who we are: we look for people who are driven, innovative, collaborative and honest & open, and who want to participate in our growth long term. Our clients: Matalan | Tesco | ASOS | Zalando | Boots | M&Co | River Island and more!