What does an Assistant Buyer do?
An Assistant Buyer works in the buying department of a company or organisation. Assistant Buyer responsibilities include sample management, securing new supplies, and maintaining product knowledge. Most Assistant Buyers report to Senior Buyers or a Procurement Manager.
Our Assistant Buyer job description includes the Assistant Buyer responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.
Assistant Buyer Example
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If you need an example job description for an Assistant Buyer download the one below, alternatively we have many other Retail job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.
What does an Assistant Buyer do?
Assistant buyers support the buyer or manager with all procurement-related tasks such as selecting the right product mix, managing purchase orders, monitoring inventory, preparing budgets and providing administrative support. Assistant buyers also work closely with venders and keep track of market trends.
Assistant Buyer Role
Assistant buyers support the buyer or manager with all procurement-related tasks such as selecting the right product mix, managing purchase orders, monitoring inventory, preparing budgets and providing administrative support. Assistant Buyers work closely with venders and keep track of market trends.
We are hiring for an Assistant Buyer to help with our purchasing department in the selection and procurement of products. Working as an Assistant Buyer your responsibilities include maintaining positive vender relations, preparing retail and pricing strategies, placing and tracking purchase orders, managing inventory and keeping track of market trends.
To excel as an Assistant Buyer, you should be confident, highly organised and an excellent communicator. Outstanding Assistant Buyers have an analytical mind and great negotiating skills.
Assistant Buyer Duties
- Previous experience in the merchandising or retail industry is a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills.
- Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure.
- Experience with merchandising software systems is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Degree in business, economics, marketing or related field preferred.
Assistant Buyer Requirements
- Assist the buyer with the selection of the right product mix.
- Write, place and track purchase orders.
- Ensure products are purchased at the right time, to specification and at a good price.
- Negotiate with venders and building positive, long-term relationships.
- Research new suppliers and making recommendations to the buyer.
- Prepare competitive retail and pricing strategies.
- Plan, monitor and maintain suitable inventory levels.
- Prepare budgets and forecasting purchasing trends.
- Compile reports on product performance and statistics.
- Previous experience in the merchandising or retail industry is a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills.
- Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure.
- Experience with merchandising software systems is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Degree in business, economics, marketing or related field preferred.
Assistant Buyer Qualifications
The education and qualifications of an Assistant Buyer might include the following:
- A Higher National Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Purchasing and Supply, Purchasing and Logistics, Business Studies, Supply Chain Management, or Marketing
- Two A Levels
- At least two GCSEs, including English and Maths
Assistant Buyer Desired Experience
The relevant experience of an Assistant Buyer might include working within a buying team, where the individual could learn skills such as how to effectively influence vendors.
Assistant Buyer Training
Possible training of an excellent Assistant Buyer candidate might include:
- Procurement and Supply Assistant Apprenticeship
- Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Qualifications
How to write an Assistant Buyer Job Advert
Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.
A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.
Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.
How to write an Assistant Buyer Job Description
To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.
Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise an Assistant Buyer Job Specification
The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.
Job Description Tips - Help on formatting an Assistant Buyer Job Specification
When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:
Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.
Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.
Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.
The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.
Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth.
Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources.
Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.
Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.
Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.
How to Hire an Assistant Buyer
Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV
