From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

To put the customer requirements at the centre of the product offer to develop and deliver a commercial and profitable range that optimises sales opportunity

This is an entry level role to start an exciting career in Buying or a next move for a current Buying admin assistant looking to take the next steps in their career.

We have various roles within our Business units, this could be in Womenswear, Menswear, Lingerie or Kidswear or even the Brands team.

At the top of your CV please explain why you would like to start a career in Buying

Key accountabilities and measures

• Support the Buyer & Assistant Buyer by developing a clear understanding of M&S’ customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer developed
• Support the Buyer & Assistant Buyer working with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer through compiling and presenting competitor shops.
• Contribute as an active member of the Buying team to work within a commercially focussed culture
• To support the Assistant Buyer with the co-ordination and development of product Tech Packs to ensure they are delivered complete and on time to minimise sampling lead times
• To work with the Buyer & Assistant Buyer to ensure the departmental critical path is met, providing support to the buying and product development process and contributing to the management of the production critical path
• Manage the sample and product management process on a daily basis and ensuring that the floor / product rooms are tidy and compliant with H&S requirements
• Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to help develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade.
• To support the Assistant Buyer with the co-ordination and preparation for range for sign off and systemic elements of the buying process, ensuring the timely completion of the relevant systemic approvals and processes
• Work with the Assistant Buyer to analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters including price architecture, colour balance, shape and margin to deliver a highly commercial and balanced range
• To liaise with press, marketing, retail, ecom, international and other external functions to support business priorities
• To support the Buyer & Assistant Buyer with the development and sourcing of packaging

Key skills

• Either Buying experience with a major retailer or alternatively experience within a retail environment
• Passion for products and desire to learn about the brand and customer
• Highly organised with attention to detail when performing tasks, ability to anticipate and manage problems, with an ability to prioritise and escalate where necessary
• Systems experience or a clear demonstration of the ability to learn to use systems quickly
• Good communication skills; communicating clearly using phone, email, VC etc.
• Knowledge of, or strong desire to learn about the end to end Buying process to take responsibility for Critical Path Management
• Proactive in agreeing to take workload away from assistant buyer where appropriate
• A digital and global mind-set that supports the growth of international and online business

Key relationships and stakeholders

• Head of Buying
• Buying Lead, Buyers, Assistant Buyers & Buying Admin Assistants
• Technical
• Sourcing Offices
• Merchandising
• Design

Secondary relationships and stakeholders

• Ecom
• Press
• Marketing
• Packaging
• International
• Retail

Key Benefits:

• Flexible working approach, with a balance of being in the office and working from home
• Competitive salary 
• 20 days holiday + 1 celebration day
• 20% discount on M&S products
• A range of wellbeing support (including a virtual GP)
• 25% off gym memberships, access to online fitness classes and discounts for complementary health services, such as nutrition and lifestyle coaching

Interested? Apply here!

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That’s why we’re revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted, and loved by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. If you consider yourself to have a disability or learning difficulty which means you are unable to complete the application process online, please get in touch either by phone on 0345 300 3725 or by email recruitment.online@marksandspencer.com so we can make alternative arrangements for you.

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