We are looking for an Assistant Buyer to join Team OB in our Support Office, working in our Handbags department.

As the Assistant Buyer on the Clothing department, you will contribute to all aspects of the Buying cycle; from creative product development, range building and trade, to price negotiation and Buying Admin Assistant management.

You will play an integral role in delivering the Fashion strategy, working in collaboration with the wider Fashion team to ensure the range is delivered on time and as seamless as possible.

Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to having conversations about working flexibly.

A bit about us …

At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work.

Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do.

Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.

More about the role …

An OB Assistant Buyer will:

Research and work with the Design team to develop product ranges in line with the department strategy and overall company
Assist the Senior Buyer with research and present new trend-led developments which extend and evolve existing collections
Negotiate cost prices, delivery terms, packaging and level of business with suppliers
Oversee the BAA to ensure orders are accurately recorded on the system and the PO is with the supplier in a timely manner
Take responsibility for the critical path ensuring product is brought into the business on time, reporting any issues to Senior Buyer when necessary
Support with supplier visits externally and in house
Approve all lab dips, bulk fabrics, trims, prints and positioning, liaising with the Senior Buyer when needed
Work on range boards and assist with developing the pricing architecture
Develop the OB brand to maximise exclusivity
Assist the Senior Buyer with range planning in line with the department budgets and strategy
Ensure all development samples are available when required by deadlines
Coordinate and oversee the departments administration
Maintain regular communication with relevant departments including PR and Marketing, Warehouse, QC, Shipping, Design and Merchandising
Liaise with the Merchandising team to ensure correct size ratios are ordered
Organise and attend sign off meetings with Merchandising, Senior Managers and Directors
Attend weekly department trade meetings, analysing trading information, identifying best and worst sellers and presenting current product and data
Attend relevant fit sessions and work with the Garment Technologists to get the correct styling and fit commenting through to production samples
Liaise with and provide detailed information for the Web Content team to ensure website photography is completed on time and samples are available for photoshoots and press days
Deputise for the Senior Buyer in their absence
Conduct progress chats and appraisals with the team and set clear stretching developmental targets

Bonas Benefits:

Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First – offering financial, emotional and vocational support
Flexible holiday – 30 Days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service
Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical
Auto-enrolment into our pension plan
Free access to our onsite gym
Cycle to work scheme
Refer a Friend incentive
Quarterly free lunch
Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
Mental Health First Aider support
Education and support throughout Looop eLearning platform

What we look for:

Strong product development experience
Effective communicator with strong negotiation and presentation skills
Excellent analytical skills with the ability to structure and develop reports
Experience of managing and mentoring junior team members
Good attention to detail
Approachable and adaptable to change and able to reprioritise tasks
A good understanding of the OB brand and customer
Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
PC literate with a knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Relevant degree or qualification

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB

At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work.

It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role however we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities.

Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.

To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: https://www.oliverbonas.com/meet-the-team/diversity