Assistant Buyer - Menswear » London, Greater London (2024)

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 stay close to customers, we expect our support teams to come into the office three days a week. We think that learning comes from working alongside each other, and that spending time with our teams makes us more creative and connected. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues.

What’s in it for you

Being a part of M&S is exactly that – becoming a part and playing your part. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and always evolving business built on core values.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…

• 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third party branded products for you and one member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
• We have discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and our business performance.
• Get cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).
• We’ll help you save through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.
• Save on everyday costs through discounts and offers and get access to great health benefits.
• Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.
• Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.
• Get access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.
• Support your favourite charities by donating through your pay or volunteering for them.
• Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

What you’ll do

As the Assistant Buyer for Menswear shirts

Your key accountabilities will include…

• Support the Buyer by displaying a clear understanding of M&S’ Menswear customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer developed. Support the Buyer working with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual global range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer
• Work with the 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
• Promote and support the collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to help develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade, as well as negotiating the best prices and lead times with supplier to achieve the gross margin buying target
• To support the Buyer with the co-ordination and development of product Tech Packs, working with Design, Technology and Sourcing Offices to achieve better hit rates and taking accountability to ensure Tech Packs are delivered complete and on time to minimise sampling lead times
• To work with the Buyer to manage the departmental critical path (including supporting approvals), providing guidance and direction to junior members of the Buying team as well as other participants in the buying and global product development to own and drive the production critical path
• To actively participate in coordinating and presenting the global range for sign-off and effectively managing systemic elements of the buying process, ensuring the timely completion of relevant systemic approvals and processes. To work with Buyer in setting and delivering the strategy for the department
• To develop strong working relationships with, and understanding of, external roles such as merchandising, technical, design, International as well as building networks across the wider structure. Manage & develop BAA

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Working to Assistant Buyer level at a major retailer - ideally within Menswear. Passion for Menswear essential! Woven experience beneficial!
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate junior members of the team and communicate with Global Sourcing Offices and influence internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of cost price negotiations and global sourcing
• Experience in developing a comprehensive product range including marketing and packaging which satisfies all customers’ future requirements
• Understanding of the concepts of brand strategy and knowledge of the current competitive market place. Good understanding of global retail market place with the ability to identify relevant product trends. A digital and global mind-set that supports the growth of international and online business
• Highly organised and self-motivated, accustomed to leading by example and taking the initiative

Everyone’s welcome

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail 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 aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired 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.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.

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