Junior Product Range Developer / Assistant Buyer

This role is a fantastic graduate level opportunity based in Manchester within a team of established Merchandisers/Buyers.  Supported by the team, this role provides experience across a cross range of skills.  You will be involved with the project management of our client’s stock ranges and the product selection should include innovative, margin efficient products. You will work closely with the Merchandisers (Stock Support Team) our Account Managers, Suppliers, and our global blue chip brand clients to provide an efficient and commercially viable stock range that meets all requirements.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Effectively source, order, sample and present the product ranges to Account Managers ensuring brand guidelines are met. Ranges will be either new or refreshes to an existing range.
• Products should be in line with client brief, innovative, profitable and be compliant.
• Work closely and build relationships with suppliers to offer unique innovative product solutions to individual clients.
• Obtain best pricing from our approved supply chain and create a pricing matrix via Microsoft Excel.
• Create product presentations on PowerPoint.
• Identify client requirements and provide a professional and efficient support service to the Account Managers. Working closely together to agree stock order levels.
• Review reports to ascertain usage/sales history.
• Monitor plain and branded sample expenses. Manage supplier credits, amortize sample costs into final costing model.
• Awareness of retail, sustainable and market trends and apply rationale into your product range presentations.
• Input product/supplier/pricing information into custom ERP system.
• Work closely with Web & Photography team to bring the products to market.
• Expedite purchase orders with supply chain ensuring effective communication at appropriate stages of project delivery.
• Ensure a smooth transition of stock range to stock controller for future orders.
• Manage and prioritise workload effectively, ensuring all project deadlines are met.
• Monitoring your time so that several tasks within projects can be managed at once.

Must have:

• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Passion for product/market trends
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to self-motivate, manage own time, work under pressure, and have a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Commercial awareness
• Knowledge of MS Office (PowerPoint/Excel)