Buying & Product Development Co-ordinator

Buying & Product Development Co-ordinator

Homeware / Kitchenware / Dine

Birmingham (B6)

Hybrid - 3 days office - hybrid working (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)

£28,000 with 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

The opportunity:

This role is all about critical path management for developing new products for retailers. You will assist with pitching to retailers for own brand projects and provide a comprehensive administrative support service to the Senior Buyer & Brand Manager.

If you are looking for progression and development to become a Junior Buyer on a fast tract scheme, this role is for you!

What will my accountabilities be?

• Work with and manage critical paths and key dates.
• Sample management from Product Development through to Production, including chasing samples from factories.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain quotes and sample dates each Season.
• Obtain and chase product information, costings, etc.
• Attend weekly scheduled product review meetings, updating and preparing tracker, ensuring that all the relevant information is prepared for the meeting for c250/300 products.
• Set up rooms for product development and buying meetings, ensuring the required product samples are available and displayed and action points are noted and followed up.
• Maintain relevant product information on the NPD system on a day-to-day basis.
• Communicate with all relevant departments in the business in the development process – from Quality Control to Marketing.
• Occasional competitor shops with Buyer and completion of competitor reports.
• Collect, unpack and distribute department post.
• Liaise with marketing colleagues re show samples.

A great candidate will have:

• At least 2 years’ experience in an administrative/support role within a Buying / Product Development environment managing a critical path, samples and developing new products.
• Experience in Far East sourcing and negotiating with suppliers.
• Experience of working in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – will need to liaise extensively with China.
• Ability to work in a structured and methodical manner and to deadlines.

The Process?

Apply today with your most up-to-date CV that will be reviewed by our MKJ Recruitment team.

First Stage: 1 hour Teams meeting with the hiring manager

Second Stage: In person interview at their offices with presentation

If you can be in the office in Birmingham 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) and have retail merchandising experience, please share a copy of your profile with me at suzanne.farrin@mackenziejones.co.uk

People are at the heart of everything we do. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process that means people can be their best authentic self.

We would love to reply to all applications, regrettably we are unable to do so due to the high volumes we receive, so if you do not hear back within 14 days unfortunately on this role it won’t be progressing. It is possible that the position could be in the process of closing, so chalk it up to bad timing. But, have no fear! There will be more opportunities. Follow us at Mackenzie Jones Recruitment so you don’t miss them.