Trainee Buyer

An exciting opportunity is available for a Trainee Buyer to join a UK-leading Commercial Retailer. Based in Norwich, Norfolk, with extensive travel across the UK and abroad, the successful Trainee Buyer will earn a competitive salary, based on experience.

The Trainee Buyer role would ideally suit someone who is looking for their first step into a Commercial Retail function. This is a fantastic development opportunity to gain experience in all areas of a Buyers role from negotiating cost prices, delivery of goods, execution of promotional activity and product lifecycle. Reporting to the Deputy Head of Buying, the main duties of a Trainee Buyer will include:

• Negotiation of cost prices with current supply base, finding new routes of supply to cut costs and increase margin
• Increasing profitability through improved purchasing, efficiencies and range planning
• Analysing consumer patterns and forecasting future trends by using market information
• Reacting to changes within the retail market swiftly to take advantage of opportunities that may arise
• Attending trade fairs alongside experienced buyers to source new products
• Budget planning, working within budget constraints to achieve and beat expected sales and profit levels
• Liaising with all departments across the business to drive through new ideas and keep the team up to date with the latest product information
• Working alongside Store Operations, Marketing and Visual Merchandising to achieve the required impact and look at store level
• Presenting new products and themes to Senior Managers
• Regular range reviews across multiple categories
• Working alongside the experienced Buyer to manage Sales, Profit, Margin, and stock turn.
• Producing weekly reports and presenting these to Senior Management

The successful Trainee Buyer does not need to have previous buying experience but it is essential that you do have a good background in Retail. In addition, you will also possess the following skills and experience: 

• Excellent communications skills both verbal and written
• Ability to work within a team as well as on own initiative
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office in particular Word, Excel and Powerpoint presenting
• Good attention to detail and analytical skills with the ability to think strategically
• Organised with the ability to multi-task
• Cantonese or Mandarin speaking would be highly advantageous
• Flexible and enthusiastic with the ability to work well under pressure
• Ambitious and motivated
• Full driving license

If you are interested in the Trainee Buyer vacancy based in Norwich, Norfolk please submit your CV along with a covering letter explaining why you believe you are suitable for the position.