Buyers Administrative Assistant

at  Hamleys

Key Objectives:
This is an entry level position within the Hamleys’ Buying Team. The focus of the role is to provide administrative support for the buying team and to support the smooth running of the buying cycle, working closely with the Merchandising Administrative Assistant (MAA). The role involves working with other departments in the Support Centre and supporting the retail stores, so requires good communication & organisational skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide essential support to the buying team to ensure the function runs smoothly
• Day to day administrative support. You will actively support the buying team, taking phone calls, responding to store communication and supplier queries
• Build excellent working relationship with the Merchandising Admin Assist and help manage inter team communications
• Chase up samples from factories and suppliers and manage the critical path
• Attending regular Store visits with the Buying team
• Manage samples and build a sample library
• Support QA assistant with any necessary information they need for their department
• Respond to supplier calls and store queries
• Keep and maintain all the address books for suppliers and factories
• Order the terms sheets and suppliers terms
• Complete competitor analysis and comp shops
• Creating and updating product boards
• Liaise with online, web and brand team to support with product images, artwork and copy
• Manage and maintain category range plans
• Attend supplier meetings and trade shows with buyer, where possible
• Day to day data entry and maintenance in the buying systems
• Pull sales analysis reports in the buying systems
• Ad hoc duties within Buying to maximise retail sales and margins
• To adapt to the needs of the buying team and respond to ad hoc requests relevant to the role

Person profile:

• Demonstrates standards of excellence
• Professional and logical approach to problem solving
• Good enthusiasm to grow and work as part of the team
• Flexibility in approach to work. Great at multitasking
• To show a willingness to learn and self-develop
• Good communication skills

Specific Job Skills:

• Demonstrates an interest in retail and shows an ability to turn facts and figures into measured decision making
• Good communication skills
• Strong administrative skill set
• Is highly organised and has a proactive approach to planning
• Has an eye for detail
• Has a logical approach to problem solving
• Good Numeric skill set
• Can demonstrate the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise effectively
• Can work independently and as part of a team

Computer skills:

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word and Excel)

• Provide essential support to the buying team to ensure the function runs smoothly
• Day to day administrative support. You will actively support the buying team, taking phone calls, responding to store communication and supplier queries
• Build excellent working relationship with the Merchandising Admin Assist and help manage inter team communications
• Chase up samples from factories and suppliers and manage the critical path
• Attending regular Store visits with the Buying team
• Manage samples and build a sample library
• Support QA assistant with any necessary information they need for their department
• Respond to supplier calls and store queries
• Keep and maintain all the address books for suppliers and factories
• Order the terms sheets and suppliers terms
• Complete competitor analysis and comp shops
• Creating and updating product boards
• Liaise with online, web and brand team to support with product images, artwork and copy
• Manage and maintain category range plans
• Attend supplier meetings and trade shows with buyer, where possible
• Day to day data entry and maintenance in the buying systems
• Pull sales analysis reports in the buying systems
• Ad hoc duties within Buying to maximise retail sales and margins
• To adapt to the needs of the buying team and respond to ad hoc requests relevant to the rol