Our Role

To assist the Buyer in meeting sales and profit targets by developing a balanced, commercial product range aligned with Brand objectives. Demonstrate market awareness and innovation as responsibilities grow within a category. Manage and develop junior team members as appropriate.

What you'll be doing

Product Development

1. Assist the Buyer in building a balanced, customer-focused range, collaborating with Design & Creative teams to ensure innovation and relevance across channels.
2. Support business initiatives, new product launches, and onboarding new suppliers.
3. Understand product construction and fit, contribute to reviews, and propose recommendations on lab dips and bulk submissions.
4. Work with QA to ensure development stages meet quality standards and timelines, highlighting risks when necessary.
5. Manage complex critical paths with varied lead times, ensuring key dates and risks are managed across seasons.
6. Maintain product line lists and sheets accurately and on time.
7. Participate in product meetings, store training, and photo shoots as an ambassador for your product areas.
8. Understand target margins and identify potential risks.
9. Manage department space efficiently with junior team members.

Supplier Management

1. Maintain regular communication with suppliers, addressing issues promptly and escalating risks to the Buyer.
2. Coordinate product briefs, samples, and information for efficient selection meetings and deadlines.
3. Represent the Buyer in supplier meetings and contribute to sourcing strategies and risk management.
4. Share market trend, trade, and competition insights with suppliers.
5. Ensure suppliers understand packaging and ticketing standards, and drive new ticket development for unique products.

Commercial Awareness

1. Build strong relationships internally and externally.
2. Deputise for the Buyer in weekly meetings, ensuring stakeholder engagement and action points.
3. Gain customer insights through store visits and feedback, and conduct competitor assessments.
4. Understand key sales, profit, and margin drivers and their impact on your area.
5. Analyze weekly sales reports to propose trading actions and identify opportunities.
6. Demonstrate range-building skills through store and customer profiling.
7. Contribute to seasonal strategy with research and performance feedback.
8. Review costs and understand the costing model.
9. Show passion for your area, pride in your product, and eagerness to learn and take on new challenges.

Management, Training, and Development

1. Review and improve processes and controls regularly.
2. Support the development and training of Buying Assistants, identifying growth opportunities.
3. Manage the Buying Assistant daily, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
4. Participate actively in team activities and promote product communication across channels.
5. Create training materials for wider business use.

Skills & Experience

1. Extensive experience in a Head Office Buying role at Assistant Buyer level within hardlines, owning your product area.
2. Proficient in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
3. Experience presenting to senior management in trade, range planning, and sign-off meetings.
4. Experience supporting and developing a Buying Admin Assistant.

What we’ll offer you

At The White Company, we value our employees and reward their dedication with benefits and competitive salaries.

• Up to 50% discount and access to Sample Sales
• Holiday entitlement starting at 23 days, increasing with service
• Holiday Buy scheme to purchase additional days
• Group Personal Pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Perkplace benefits platform with discounts
• Wagestream app for financial wellbeing
• Structured learning and development support
• Life Assurance

Additional Benefits

• Daily fruit basket
• Tea and coffee provided
• Option to work from home on Mondays and Fridays
• Social events, including Christmas parties
• Seasonal Sample Sales
• Volunteer Day with a charity of choice
• Great location near transport links and Westfield shopping centre

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We strive to create an inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and identities. We want everyone to feel they belong and can bring their authentic selves to work. Our recruitment process reflects this commitment.

Our Sustainability Commitment

We aim to build a sustainable legacy, ensuring our actions benefit people and the planet. This ethos guides everything we do.