To efficiently manage newly-selected products through all compliance, testing processes, internal systems and marketing requirements, and in to the business. All new products remain the responsibility of the Junior Buyer until they arrived at our DC, and are released by the Junior Buyer for sale. The Junior Buyer also takes on responsibility for buying ranges, under the guidance of the Buyer. They will work with the buyer to develop a clear commercial strategy based on sales history, market trend, innovation and company objectives. They will be responsible for developing, sourcing, purchasing and introducing new, market- leading products in conjunction with suppliers, manufacturers, inventors and designers. The junior buyer will present the range at selection with all supporting information, and will ensure it delivers to the key financials.
- To set up on our system and progress all new products. The set up covers testing (both external certificates and internal trialling,) legal compliance, Lakeland quality compliance, price negotiation (with the buyer’s support,) payment terms, MOQs, and delivery requirements. The Assistant Buyer should negotiate all terms in order to achieve the optimum result for Lakeland.
- To ensure all packaging meets our standards and is informative, visually appealing, consistent with our brand, and sits within or alongside other ranges as appropriate. To originate instructions and ensure they are simple, correct and straight forward.
- To ensure all products are legally compliant, all testing is completed, and all relevant test certificates are received, to take advice from the QA team or external QA consultants as required.
- Manage samples effectively, from initial sample to sign off sample. Ensure any Marketing and photography samples are also managed effectively, and are in the optimum location at all times.
- To set up new suppliers, ensuring all paperwork is filled in comprehensively and correctly, and signed off as appropriate.
- Ensure that the Marketing team are able to market the product to their best ability, through the provision of extensive, accurate copy notes, and the clear presentation at the PSM all pertinent facts about each product. This also includes checking catalogue proofs, images and copy, to ensure all information is accurate
- To be proactive and timely in responding to product queries via any channel.
- To be proactive in reviewing returns and star ratings. Taking steps as appropriate to improve the customer experience of any products that fall below expectation. This also covers the management of samples to customers in order to generate reviews at product launch
- To take initiative to minimise the environmental impact of our packaging, referring to all guidance from the QA team and WRAP.
- To support and train any new starters as appropriate
- To support the buyer to develop a department strategy with clear direction based on sales history, market trend, innovation and company objectives
- To source products that deliver this strategy, offering comprehensive price and range architecture, removing duplication, and providing innovative, best in class and curated ranges, with exclusivity wherever possible.
- To work closely with the merchandising team, and others as required, to ensure all ranges are in the optimum space and routes to market. To support the effective management of the range through the season, assisting with any negotiation out of volume or re-sourcing as required
- To take ownership of quality by following the returns review process, and proactively reviewing Star Ratings to take any actions to improve, This also includes acting on any quality issues with stock, or in the case of more serious issues with Customer Services.
- To attend relevant trade shows and meet with suppliers, both off site in the UK, and internationally where appropriate
- To ensure every single product is the best it can possibly be.
- To monitor competitor product development, ranging, packaging and pricing
- To develop strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure we are their first stop for newness, innovation, and launching new exclusive products
- To proactively adhere to deadlines and key dates on the Buying Critical Path
- To ensure all products arrive on time and as per the spec and quality agreed, and in-line with advice from external quality consultants and our internal quality team.
- Assist with initial set up and management of any new Direct Despatch accounts, liaising between the supplier, IT and Contact Centre to ensure all processes are agreed and are satisfactory.
- Provide strong and comprehensive packaging briefs to our packaging agency, where the packaging meets all guidelines, is informative, is visually appealing and is consistent with our brand and other ranges. Minimise attempts to get this right.
- Support all ethical trading requirements, ensuring with the support of the buyer and QA team, that all supplier information meets the criteria outlined.
- To actively improve all packaging in-line with Eco credentials. Both for new products and existing.
- To work with the Merchandising team to construct a commercial, balanced, comprehensive range, agreeing upon appropriate sales channels and routes to market
- To manage new and existing supplier relationships and proactively drive discussions on exclusivity, discounts, special offers, funding, artwork and packaging
- To actively work with retail, web and catalogue production to lead discussions on product exposure and inclusion, and ensure they have all the info they require to optimise sales
- To follow up all compliance processes, in particular ensuring that new factories are members of Sedex / BSCI (or comparable) and have good practise from an ethical and business perspective.
- Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
Essential – the ‘must haves’
- Be an effective communicator, with an ability to deal diplomatically at all levels, both internally and externally
- Have buying office / retail environment knowledge / experience
- Have excellent planning and organisational skills to ensure deadlines are met
- Have strong numerical skills, ability to work accurately with data
- Able to work to a critical path, and prioritise workload according to business need
- Happy to be challenged by a fast pace role with a high interruption level
- Able to demonstrate a creative innovative approach to problem solving
- Capable of working unsupervised and able to use own initiative
- Have proven negotiation skills
- Ability to multi task
- Have experience of working with Outlook and Microsoft Excel
- GCSE English & Maths Grade 4/C or equivalent
- A minimum of 2 years in an Assistant Buyer role, or equivalent role within another employer.
- The junior buyer will need to undertake UK, European and International travel for periods of up to 1-2 weeks at any one time.
- Ability to build a range with clear architecture, fitting in to agreed financial targets, SKU numbers and space. Be able to explain clearly the choices made, and why.
- Able to work to a critical path, being prepared for key meetings and working with the team to ensure all deadlines are met.
- Have a passion for product
Desirable – the ‘nice to haves’
- Knowledge of Lakeland Products
- Have an understanding of a multi-channel retail business
- Educated to ‘A’ level standard or equivalent qualification or equivalent professional experience
Founded in the early 60s, we're still a family-owned business with the same strong values of quality and customer care now as when we first started. From selling plastic bags for home freezing from the Rayner family garage in Windermere, to over 4000 kitchen and home products today, Lakeland has grown to the extent that we now send out thousands of parcels a day from our Kendal despatch centre, and we have stores nationwide, stretching from Aberdeen to Exeter, with more in the pipeline.
There are many benefits to being part of the Lakeland team. Other than being part of a huge and happy working family, our colleagues are rewarded with a competitive salary, discretionary bonus scheme and a group personal pension plan.
There are 29 days’ paid holiday (including bank holidays) and generous discounts on our products. We offer a great retail environment, and the chance to be part of a team who like to work and socialise together
Full Time 39 Hours
Permanent
Hybrid working (Head Office Windermere – minimum 2 day per week)