Debenhams Group
Assistant Buyer
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At boohooMAN, we don’t just react to trends, we create them. As a key disruptor in global menswear, we lead the conversation in streetwear with speed, confidence and creative energy. Our aim is to become the number one streetwear brand in the world, and our Buying team plays a central role in that ambition. As an Established Assistant Buyer, you’ll operate with increased responsibility, owning key product areas and driving strategy alongside the Buyer to deliver trend-led, commercial ranges.
YOUR TEAM
Our Buying team is agile, trend-focused and laser-sharp on commerciality. We collaborate across design, merchandising, and suppliers to deliver the right product, at the right price, at the right time. Over the past year, the team has expanded our global supply base, improved intake KPIs and helped deliver record-breaking sell-throughs on new categories.
YOUR ROLE
As an Established Assistant Buyer, you’ll lead critical areas of the buying process, from development and cost negotiation to trade actions and product delivery. You’ll manage your own category or sub-category spend and supplier relationships, taking accountability for its commercial performance.
You’ll work closely with design and garment techs to ensure the product is trend-relevant and fits are approved on time. You’ll also take a lead role in developing the BAA, passing down key responsibilities and coaching where appropriate.
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WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Own the critical path and ensure all intake deadlines and targets are met
- Attend and lead all fit sessions; approve samples and ensure fit comments are communicated clearly to suppliers
- Manage open costing with a strong understanding of fabric, printing, construction, and wage costs
- Lead development meetings independently with suppliers and deliver feedback to internal teams
- Own a sub-category and manage associated budget, trading actions and supplier performance
- Drive supplier negotiations and ensure best cost prices are achieved
- Proactively identify and flag OPO or intake issues with suggested solutions
- Support the Buyer in weekly sign-off meetings, presenting products and developments for approval
- React to trading reports by recommending rebuys, cancellations or product moves
- Lead weekly trade pack reviews and provide insight into sub-category performance
- Take a lead role in team meetings and development sessions
- Oversee product uploads, unpublished reports and studio sample coordination
- Conduct competitor analysis and identify commercial opportunities and gaps
- Ensure site accuracy on product details and images; flag and correct issues
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Strong experience in an Assistant Buyer or similar role, ideally managing a category or budget
- Proven negotiation skills and understanding of margin, BIM, pricing architecture and KPI tracking
- Strong commercial awareness with a sharp eye for product and fashion trends
- Confident and professional communication skills with internal and external partners
- Experience managing the critical path and sample lifecycle end-to-end
- Proficient in Excel, PIM and Sage (preferred)
- A passion for streetwear and the customer, with ideas to drive the brand forward
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WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division, it keeps us pretty busy!
We don’t stand still, we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible.
We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers, people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.
Be bold. Be creative. Be a community.
#LI-LF1 #LI-onsite #LI-buying
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