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  3. Consumer, FMCG & Retail
  4. Assistant Buyer (Fashion Stationery) 2025
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At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a highly creative and proactive Assistant Buyer to join our High Street team, working in our Support Centre in Swindon.

The main purpose of an Assistant Buyer is to work alongside the Buying Manager, and Buyer, supporting the management and delivery of the strategy for the Stationery category, providing data insight and analysis on the range performance and helping to facilitate promotional plans.

This role is centered around new product development, where design is integral to shaping innovative, trend-driven ranges. You will play a key role in sourcing and development process, building strong supplier relationships with WHSmith’s sourcing offices to deliver exceptional products to market.

This is a great opportunity to start your buying career, to learn and develop within one of the leading buying teams in the industry.

What you will be doing

  • Assist the Buyer in generating new ideas on how to grow sales, margin and supplier income
  • Support with the management of new and existing projects
  • Manage effective relationships with suppliers
  • Keep abreast of design and market trends.
  • Review competitor activity to help identify new opportunities as well as changes to our existing offering
  • Ensure the smooth running of promotions and comply with promotional deadlines
  • Take accountability and support the team on various projects

What we are looking for

  • You will have a basic understanding of business (i.e. buying and stock)
  • You will be analytical and have a head for figures as this role is data driven
  • You will have experience in new product development (or creative background)
  • A highly organised multitasker, with a keen eye for detail, accuracy and achieving deadlines
  • Someone with an entrepreneurial mindset who is hungry to succeed and make an impact
  • Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel (if you can use pivot tables and VLOOKUPS, that would be advantageous)

How we reward our teams

  • Hybrid working model from home and in the office
  • 4pm Friday finish
  • Flexible Working
  • 24 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
  • Family friendly leave
  • Company pension
  • Sharesave Scheme
  • Annual Bonus based on company and Personal Performance
  • Competitive salary
  • Staff discount card for stores and online