Smallworld Accessories Limited
Assistant Buyer
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12-month fixed-term maternity cover – 37.5 hours per week | Hybrid working | Lewes, East Sussex
Smallworld Accessories is a fast-growing fashion accessories concessionaire. We design, ethically source and supply trend-led products to more than 1,500 stores nationwide, partnering with major UK retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, John Lewis and Next.
Our product portfolio is anything but predictable. We create everything from sunglasses, belts and jewellery to hair accessories, children’s ranges and complete back-to-school kits and we continue to explore new categories and opportunities. With so much variety, there is always a new product, trend or idea to bring to life.
We’re looking for an experienced Assistant Buyer with a genuine passion for fashion and accessories to join our close-knit Buying team. The current postholder is due to begin maternity leave in December, so we’re recruiting now to allow the successful candidate to join us beforehand, complete a thorough handover and become familiar with our products, suppliers and wider team.
Make a visible impact
Working closely with the Buying team, you’ll combine product judgement with commercial awareness to help shape customer-relevant ranges. From identifying opportunities and recommending products to seeing those products reach stores nationwide, your contribution will be clear and tangible.
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You will:
- Support product selection, range building and development.
- Use sales, stock and margin data, alongside competitor and trend insights, to identify opportunities and make recommendations.
- Work directly with suppliers on samples, costings, orders and delivery schedules.
- Manage purchase orders and critical-path activity to keep products and launches on track.
- Bring ideas and a clear point of view to range, creative and trading meetings.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Current or previous experience operating at Assistant Buyer level within a fashion buying environment.
- A degree in fashion, fashion buying, fashion management or another relevant fashion-related subject.
- Experience across range building, product development and in-season trading.
- A strong product eye, genuine passion for fashion and accessories, and an active awareness of emerging trends.
- Confidence working directly with suppliers and supporting cost and margin negotiations.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, including experience working with sales, stock and margin data.
- Excellent organisation and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
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What you can expect
- Broad exposure to different product categories, leading UK retailers and teams across the business.
- A supportive and collaborative environment where ideas are welcomed and people work closely together.
- Hybrid working, with the team typically based in our Lewes office from Tuesday to Thursday. This pattern may occasionally vary according to business needs.
- A day off for your birthday.
- Access to our healthcare plan, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Access to our lifestyle and savings platform, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Company events and activities organised by our dedicated social committee.
If you’re an experienced fashion Assistant Buyer looking for variety, meaningful responsibility and broad exposure across the business, we’d love to hear from you.
Smallworld Accessories is an equal opportunities employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
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