Assistant Buyer- Flagship Accessories and Travel (FTC)

Job Introduction

The flagship accessories team is responsible for buying accessories for brands situated in boutiques, and therefore for some of the most significant brands and categories at Selfridges.

As an assistant buyer, you will support the buyer with brand relationships and buying, as well as managing the travel department overseeing all luggage brands. This role is key for ensuring the smooth running of the department and driving sales and profit for the business. 

You will:

-  Work with the Buyer and Buying Manager to ensure that Buying decisions are based on a sound commercial framework to drive sales and profit

-  Work closely with the Buyer and merchandising team to plan the OTB for the travel department, continuing to monitor and review in season

-  Attend buying appointments, leading brand conversations and devising the buys, where relevant 

-  Negotiate the best possible terms with suppliers i.e. margin, trade discounts, markdown support, returns

-  Drive in-trading by identifying and following through on opportunities on a weekly basis

-  Attend regular calls with brands, monitoring and updating on performance

-  Communicate effectively with retail operations and VM teams, particularly with regards to new season launches, deliveries, product training and floorplans

-  Work closely with Marketing, PR and digital teams and to be aware of promotional opportunities during negotiations with suppliers

-  Manage the buying administrator on the team, helping to prioritise and manage workload.

You'll Need:

•Highly knowledgeable. You will have a well-developed understanding of the product/market

•Strategic and operational. With strong analytical skills and experience driving long-term and profitable commercial strategies, you’ll be able to successfully manage projects through to completion. 

•Engaging. Able to influence your stakeholders, retail and brands, you know how to use both data and market trends to drive commercial opportunities 

•Customer focused. Combined with exceptional taste and instinct, you are able to push the boundaries to offer new and exciting product

•All over the numbers. You are numerate with a highly commercial approach, as well as proficient in excel

•Collaborative. Working flexibly as part of the wider Buying team you will support in projects and cross functional meetings as appropriate

•Organised with attention to detail

•Excellent interpersonal skills

•Ability to influence & work well under pressure and balance numerous tasks at once

•An example of our values, a trusted and respected colleague

Selfridges