Job Description

Role Purpose:

The Assistant Buyer is responsible for supporting the Buyer in all areas of category management.



Playing a vital part in supporting the end-to-end process of developing & launching new products.



Your key objective is to support the buyer in delivering the department strategy, exceeding all financial targets, and managing the day-to-day tasks of trading the category. You will deliver vital administrative support and feed into a highly dynamic and creative category.





Key skills:


Ability to look ahead and plan Clear and effective communicator Adaptable and flexible to changing priorities Ability to focus and make progress working with multiple deadlines Organised & able to prioritise and manage own time as well as others Evidence of persuading & influencing others and developing successful relationships, a natural a team player

Reports to:

Confectionery Buyer

Direct Reports:

Confectionery Buying Assistant

Key Accountabilities:

Supporting the buyer throughout the new product development process from idea conception through to launch, managing and updating the critical path to ensure launches stay on track. Communicate progress on new launches to teams across the business at the relevant stage of the critical path, and carry out product training when new products launch in store. Focus on owning and delivering launches for some of our seasonal campaigns, identifying trends, building out a range, and working across our supplier base and with internal stakeholders to launch these ranges. Demonstrate good attention to detail, ensuring accuracy of data management and data entry on our systems and across multiple range plans. Strong commercial awareness - analysing sales performance, understanding product costs, retail pricing and margins. Run and update weekly trade reports for analysis with the buyer. Demonstrate a passion for food products and innovation, carrying out market reviews and sharing ideas for newness. Have an authentic and passionate understanding of brand, product, and the competition within the market. Work cross-functionally across many teams within Fortnum's, developing and maintaining effective relationships, and well as developing positive working relationships across the supply base. Supporting the management and development of the confectionery assistant buyer.

Management:

NPD Sales Analysis Margin/ ROI Ranging Sales Negotiation Product Knowledge Problem Solving Supplier Management

Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability)

We expect the successful candidate to have the following skills and experience:


Excellent Microsoft Office skills Experience of working with people in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. You will be organised, forward thinking, resilient and highly adaptable to the needs of the business. You will be most effective in this role if you are a team player, who can manage your own time as well others. You will have a collaborative approach to your work and be an exceptional communicator, both written and spoken, confident in influencing stakeholders across the business. A keen eye for detail in this role is essential. You will relish problem solving and overcoming challenges that you will face daily, both systematic and creative. You can demonstrate an ability to quickly learn about product and have a passion for quality and the brand. You will be excellent in managing multiple tasks and projects at the same time and have a positive outlook and can do proactive attitude. You will enjoy the balance in this role encompassing both a need for being organised and structured to being creative and innovation led.




We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.



In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.

In return, we offer:

A competitive salary A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40% 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum's ingredients A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally * Excellent pension scheme