FORBIDDEN PLANET INTERNATIONAL
Buying Assistant (Pop Culture & Collectibles)
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Company Overview
Forbidden Planet is a household name for Pop Culture. Established in 1975, the group now has nineteen stores across the UK and Ireland, selling a vast range of toys, collectables, graphic novels, comics, sci-fi, movie and TV merchandise.
We are incredibly passionate about what we do. As fans ourselves, we buy, collect, and read the same stuff as you. We pride ourselves on the customer experience, and our passion and love for the products show when you visit us in-store.
Our team work tirelessly to ensure that we are able to source and stock the latest Manga books, trading cards, action figures, designer toys, comics, clothing, or merchandise from all over the world.
Join the Buying Team at Forbidden Planet
We're looking for an organised and detail-focused Buying Assistant to join our Buying Team.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, supporting commercial decision-making and building strong working relationships with suppliers and colleagues. You'll play an important role in helping ensure product, supplier and purchasing information is accurate, up to date and readily available to support the success of the business.
Working within a fast-paced retail environment, you'll gain exposure to a wide range of products, suppliers and buying activities while supporting experienced Buyers across multiple categories.
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Key Responsibilities
- Provide administrative and operational support to the Buying Team.
- Maintain accurate product, supplier and purchasing information across business systems.
- Support supplier communications and help ensure information is kept up to date.
- Assist with the preparation of information and reports to support buying decisions.
- Monitor and investigate discrepancies, identifying issues and escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Support the maintenance of high standards of data accuracy and integrity.
- Work collaboratively with stores, suppliers and internal departments to ensure information is communicated effectively.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, systems and ways of working.
About You
You'll be highly organised, proactive and comfortable working with large volumes of information.
You'll ideally have:
- Previous experience in an administration, buying, purchasing, merchandising or stock control role.
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
- Good Microsoft Excel skills and confidence working with data.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
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Desirable
- Previous Buying Assistant experience.
- Experience using ERP or business systems.
- Retail, wholesale or merchandising experience.
- Experience producing reports and analysing business data.
- An interest in pop culture, comics, manga, collectibles, gaming or licensed products.
Why Join Forbidden Planet?
This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's most recognised pop culture retailers and play a key role within a passionate and knowledgeable Buying Team. You'll gain broad exposure to the commercial side of the business, work with a wide range of products and suppliers, and have the opportunity to develop your buying and merchandising career in a unique retail environment.
Salary: £29,000.00 to £32,000.00 per annum
Location: Stratford Workshops, 1 Burford Road, London E15 2SP
Hours: 37.5 per week, full-time, Monday to Friday
Reports to: Senior Buyers
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