Graduate Buying Assistant Oldham 2024

Be a part of something big! Join Ultimate Products' international business this summer in our Buying Divisions. As a crucial link between our suppliers, overseas offices, and internal departments, you will play an instrumental role in facilitating seamless communication and collaboration across our entire supply chain - and we want YOUR HELP, keeping up with demand and developing innovative ideas for our products across our huge brand portfolio.

What makes our graduate programme unique?

Ultimate Products offers a comprehensive development programme with regular reviews, mentoring and tailored training plans to ensure a successful start on the career ladder. In our 2023 New Starter Survey, 100% of respondents believed they had the knowledge & skills they need to succeed at UP. With a dedicated Training Manager and uncapped opportunities for progression, we believe in empowering our graduates to form their career with us and truly fulfil their highest potential!

It is fast paced here, but with the ongoing support from your team and mentors, you will seize the chance to create meaningful change and drive both the business and your career forward. Join our vibrant community of passionate graduates in our contemporary office and discover firsthand how working alongside our cutting-edge teams can drive and evolve your personal career. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere where hard work is celebrated and enjoy the rewards including perks like complimentary lunches and social activities such as regular football training.

Key responsibilities in buying

As a Buying Assistant, you will be working as part of a team to provide support to the Buying Directors in all aspects of the Buying process. The overall purpose of the buying department is to bring innovative and on trend retail products to market at the right price and the right quality. So if you enjoy being creative, working collaboratively and on a variety of tasks, then buying could be for you!

• Assisting in the development of quality branded products for our retail customers.
• Analysing consumer market trends and conducting effective product research.
• Working alongside our Brand teams to coordinate product packaging requirements.
• Liaising with our offices in the Far East and factories to organise product sample.
• Produce customer specific quotations for the sales team accurately and on time.

The UP story

Beginning with a small spark of success in Oldham, we have grown to become a global success story. We’re the cogs in the retail machine, designing, manufacturing, and distributing innovative branded products at the best prices to a mass market. Our brand portfolio is led by Salter and Beldray, found in major UK stores including Tesco, John Lewis, Morrisons, just to name a few. Our brands have a reputation for high quality and on-trend design, and they’re well-known household names that have stood the test of time – with over 260 years of heritage!

Since 1997, Ultimate Products has provided top-of-the-line kitchen and laundry products to consumers across 38 countries. We have since become a public limited company, achieving an annual turnover that surpasses £165 million each year. UP has strong business connections with internationally renowned retailers and we are dedicated to giving back to the community that helped build us.

Our people are a key driver to our success, and we are proud of creating an environment that enables our colleagues to thrive both professionally and personally, which is why we recently invested £1.6M in a brand-new office at our Oldham headquarters. With thriving employee wellbeing and environmental committees, we are dedicated to empowering our people to have a voice and share their views.

We recognise how important it is to recharge, which is why we’ve also introduced a 3pm finish every Friday so that our employees can make the most of their weekends!

What we look for

Candidates must be ambitious, driven and enthusiastic, with an interest in pursuing a career in a leading international business. Application requirements:

• A degree essential at 2:1 or above. All specialisms considered.
• Minimum 6-12 months experience either full time or part time
• The most important bit is your talent, determination and drive, bring that with you and we can provide you with the tools to succeed.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational skills with a keen eye for detail
• Assertive and confident with a proactive approach to work
• Local to Greater Manchester

What is in it for you?

We care about your progression

• Access to comprehensive structured training and a personal development plan to help you grow and reach your goals.
• Scheduled meetings with your mentor to evaluate workload and track progress.
• Ongoing salary reviews with increasing levels of responsibility as you further your career.
• Free External Training Courses from Recognised Providers.
• Secondment and Travel Opportunities.
• Employee Save As You Earn share save scheme.
• Option of a salary sacrifice pension contribution of up to 10% in addition to your standard pension contribution.

We invest in our people

• New £1.6M state of the art office in Oldham.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays after your first 12 months.
• Wellness sessions.
• 24-hour access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Helpline.
• 24/7 access to a doctor through video or phone consultation.
• Community, Environmental and ESG committees, created to encourage positive change within the company and our wider community.
• One full day paid to take part in charity work.
• One of the North West’s Top 100 companies to work for.
• High levels of employee satisfaction - Glassdoor rating of 4* and above.
• Free minibus to and from the local tram stop.
• Prayer room and prayer friendly working hours.
• 3pm finishes on a Friday.
• Company football team.

We celebrate in style

• Annual Summer and Christmas parties paid for by the company.
• £250 towards a wedding cake.
• Complimentary team lunches.
• Colleague of the Year awards.
• Christmas Retail Vouchers.
• £250 retail credit when you buy your first home.