Assistant Buyer - Fashion

As an Assistant Buyer - Fashion at Seraphine, your key responsibilities include assisting the Buyer and Head of Buying in the product development process, helping with the range development in line with the business strategy, and managing the critical path. You'll also conduct price comparisons with competitors and ensure timely delivery of samples for photo shoots. Your role contributes significantly to driving profitable sales growth and maintaining high standards of product quality.

To thrive as an Assistant Buyer - Fashion at Seraphine, candidates should ideally have experience in a similar role within the fashion industry. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential, alongside strong computer literacy, particularly in Excel, Outlook, and Word. A solid understanding of the buying function and critical path processes will set you up for success as well as the ability to manage tight deadlines while maintaining a proactive approach.

The work environment for the Assistant Buyer - Fashion role at Seraphine is innovative and collaborative. You will be part of a passionate and diverse team dedicated to delivering exceptional fashion for expectant and new mothers. The role promotes a flexible working model with three days in central London and two days of remote work, fostering a healthy work-life balance while encouraging creativity and teamwork.

At Seraphine, there are ample opportunities for career advancement for the Assistant Buyer - Fashion. By excelling in your role, you can look forward to progressing to a Buyer or Head of Buying position. The company encourages professional growth through mentorship, additional training, and exposure to various aspects of the business, ensuring you have the resources to thrive in your career.

The Assistant Buyer - Fashion position at Seraphine comes with a competitive salary of £28k and a range of attractive benefits. Employees enjoy 25 days of paid holiday plus bank/public holidays, early finishes on Fridays, and a generous staff discount. Additional perks include life assurance, an auto-enrolment pension scheme, and wellness initiatives, making Seraphine a great place to work and grow.

The buying process in the fashion industry involves several stages: identifying trends, selecting products that align with the brand's identity, negotiating with suppliers, and managing inventory levels. As an Assistant Buyer, demonstrating your knowledge of this process will show that you are prepared to support the Buyer effectively.

In managing the product development timeline, prioritizing tasks begins with understanding key deadlines and deliverables. My approach is to create a clear schedule of critical path dates and focus on high-impact activities that align with those deadlines. I regularly review tasks to ensure everything stays on track and communicate proactively with team members to address any challenges.

To conduct competitive analysis for fashion products, I typically perform regular market research by reviewing competitors' pricing, product ranges, and marketing strategies. Utilizing online tools and visiting local stores can provide valuable insights into what works in the market and help inform our pricing and design strategies at Seraphine.

In a previous role, I faced a tight deadline when preparing product samples for a photoshoot. I immediately prioritized tasks and communicated with team members to delegate responsibilities. By implementing a clear timeline and regularly updating the critical path, we successfully delivered the samples on time. This experience illustrated the importance of effective communication and teamwork under pressure.

Building relationships with suppliers effectively involves open communication, trust, and mutual respect. I make an effort to engage with them regularly, express genuine interest in their capabilities, and provide constructive feedback. Developing a solid rapport fosters collaboration and can lead to better terms and improved quality of products for the brand.

Maintaining quality standards in product development is vital for brand reputation. Consistent communication with suppliers about our expectations, regular product evaluations, and feedback loops will help uphold these standards. Additionally, conducting thorough quality checks throughout the process ensures that the final product meets both customer and company expectations.

Staying current with fashion trends involves a multifaceted approach: following influential designers and brands on social media, attending fashion shows, reading industry publications, and participating in networking events. This active engagement allows me to gather insights that can inform product development and alignment with Seraphine's market positioning.

As an Assistant Buyer, key performance indicators (KPIs) to track include sales performance by product category, inventory turnover rates, margin achievement, and supplier lead times. Tracking these KPIs regularly can help identify areas for improvement, ensuring we meet our business goals effectively.

One successful product range I worked on involved collaborating closely with the design team to launch a sustainable collection. By conducting effective market research and responding to consumer feedback, we managed to create a range that resonated with our audience and exceeded sales expectations. This project reinforced the importance of collaboration and alignment with customer values.

I am eager to work as an Assistant Buyer at Seraphine because I admire the company's commitment to creating stylish, functional maternity wear that empowers women. I am passionate about fashion and believe that my skills in buying and product management align perfectly with Seraphine's mission. Joining a team that values innovation, quality, and customer connection excites me.