From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.
As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.
Please note this role is a 12 month fixed term contract.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
What you'll do
Your key accountabilities will include:
* Support the Buyer by displaying a clear understanding of M&S' customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer developed.
* Support the Buyer working with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer.
* Work with the Buyer to analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters including price architecture, colour balance, shape and margin to deliver a highly commercial and balanced range.
* Promote and support the collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to help develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade, as well as negotiating the best prices and lead times with suppliers to achieve the gross margin buying target.
* Contribute as an active member of the Buying team to work within a commercially focused culture.
* Support the Buyer with the co-ordination and development of product Tech Packs, working with Design, Technology and Sourcing Offices to achieve better hit rates and taking accountability to ensure Tech Packs are delivered complete and on time to minimise sampling lead times.
* Work with the Buyer to manage the departmental critical path (including supporting approvals), providing guidance and direction to junior members of the Buying team as well as other participants in the buying and product development process.
* Own and drive the production critical path.
* Manage BAAs to ensure efficient product & sample management across the buying floor in order to meet all H&S regulations.
* Support BAA training and development to help upskill teams.
* Actively participate in coordinating and presenting the range for sign-off and effectively managing systemic elements of the buying process, ensuring the timely completion of relevant systemic approvals and processes.
* Demonstrate good knowledge of the Departmental finished goods and materials supply base and support processes to ensure M&S' scale and buying power is fully leveraged.
* Work with Buyer in setting and delivering the strategy for the department.
* Develop strong working relationships with, and understanding of, external roles such as merchandising, technical, design as well as building networks across the wider structure.
Who you are
Your skills and experience will include:
* Footwear experience is required.
* Relevant buying experience with a major retailer - working to at least Senior Buyers Admin Assistant level.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate junior members of the team and communicate with Global Sourcing Offices and influence internal and external stakeholders.
* Experience of cost price negotiations and global sourcing.
* Critical Path Management.
* Highly organised and self-motivated, accustomed to leading by example and taking the initiative.
* Proactive in agreeing to take on Buyer responsibilities - Role model for BAAs and strong interpersonal skills, capable of managing vertically and laterally.
Everyone's welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
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