Buying Assistant £25,000 - £35,000 (dependent upon experience) Manchester - Office Based Our Client, a rapidly expanding distributor of FMCG products to the retail market now has an excellent opportunity for a Buying / Category Assistant to join their team based in Manchester. Duties include: To assist the Manager in sourcing new products to ensure the range is competitive in the market. Develop new and improve existing items for the Group. Develop & build customer own label brands. Develop new categories for customer base through buying and sourcing. Sourcing suppliers which can fit within existing distribution channels. Source Product based on brief to fit into either price points, trends or existing programmes. Strengthen supply chain based on relationships, networks, price, availability and longevity. Working & reporting to the Senior Buyer to ensure optimum availability of stock. Identify new potential markets based on mid-long-term longevity. Develop, design and position products for identified channels. Brief artwork department with product design. Need to conduct market research to provide brief for the text on the products. Procure technical support data for new products for quality assurance and health and safety. Liaising with internal and external sales personnel to provide detailed stock availability information. Willing to travel worldwide for visiting Trade Fairs and visiting factories to ensure compliance. Creating, raising and sending purchase orders. Maintenance of orders and data according to the buying systems set up in Navision. Skills Required Some experience of buying - ideally within FMCG. Supplier to retail experience Understanding & experience with manufacturers. Experience of MS Office to an intermediary level Commercial awareness, negotiation of high-level contracts & creativity Ability to communicate to all levels of the business Ability to thrive under pressure Hands on approach Apply online or for further information contact one of specialist consultants quoting reference number: NJR14751