Buying & Merchandising Assistant Apprenticeship

Overview

Want to get stuck into work, straight out of school? Our Support Office Apprenticeships offer a degree-free, direct route into Buying and Merchandising. There's a team behind every product and they're busy doing the smart thinking, deciding how we succeed as a business. And as an apprentice, you’ll play a vital role on the team, while launching your career.

We are launching a brand-new Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Apprenticeship Programme: it's a two-year course developed in partnership with the Fashion Retail Academy.

What to expect?

There's a Merchandising team behind every product and they're busy doing the smart thinking, deciding how we succeed as a business. And as an apprentice, you’ll play a vital role on the team, while launching your career.

So what is it? Well, it’s a real job, putting you to work on live business (we’ll match you to a brand that’s a good fit). You'll be analysing data, pinpointing the trends that drive sales, helping to allocate stock, monitoring and reviewing sales and stock levels, and providing general administration support to the team.

You'll be working with friendly, passionate people. A graduate buddy will show you the ropes, plus you'll learn from more experienced colleagues, and hang out with our other apprentices in the same boat!

Training

Training will take place at least one day each month at the Fashion Retail Academy. You'll be working towards an accredited Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Assistant Standard. Then, when qualified you should be all set up to take a Merchandise Admin Assistant role or a Buying Admin Assistant.   

The Headlines   

Working Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Eligibility: GCSEs in Maths (grade 4-9 or C-A*) and English (grade 4-9 or C-A*). You must have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least the previous three years before the start of the programme or have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Have not completed a qualification in Fashion Retail, Buying or Merchandising at level 4 or above (e.g. L4 Fashion Retail, L4 Diploma in Buying and/or Merchandising)

Personal Qualities: You're super-curious about pretty much everything. It should go without saying that you’re happy with numbers, great with detail, and have a good, intuitive feel for the commercial world. You’re excited about fashion, keen to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment, with the resilience and drive to back it up when the going gets tough.

Format: In person at M&S Support Office, London Paddington  

Pay: £20,000 per annum