Assistant Buying Manager, HELPLINE

Excellent opportunity for 2 Assistant Buying Managers to join a well-established company based in Watford.

2 POSITIONS AVAILABLE.

• Assistant Buying Manager – Gifting & Drinkware
• Assistant Buying Manager – Apparel

Salary: £28,000–£30,000 (DOE). Progression:
Up to £35,000 within 12–18 months.

Job Type: Full-time / 09:00 – 18:00 Monday to Thursday & 09:00 – 16:30 Friday.

Location:

Watford. Free on‑site parking.

Benefits:
Casual dress, free on‑site parking, early finishes on Fridays, annual leave, clear progression opportunities.

The company is seeking 2 proactive Buying Managers. The Buying Manager will support their individual departments as below:

To support the development and production of licensed gifting products, including stationery, pens, keychains, drinkware, and accessories.

To support the development and production of licensed apparel ranges for major global brands and retailers.

This role is suited to someone with previous experience in buying, sourcing, or production who wants to pursue a long‑term career in Buying. You will gain hands‑on experience across product development, supplier management, costings, and category planning while working with global factories and retailers, with clear progression opportunities.

• Support the development of licensed gifting and drinkware products.
• Assist with materials, specifications, artwork coordination, and sampling.
• Coordinate product approvals and revisions with suppliers.
• Ensure products meet retailer and licensor requirements.

• Liaise with overseas factories in China & other regions.
• Track production schedules and maintain critical paths.
• Identify and escalate production risks or delays.
• Support packaging, labelling, and compliance processes.

• Assist with costings, pricing, and margin tracking.
• Maintain Excel trackers and buying sheets.
• Support product selection and range planning.

• Collaborate with internal teams across design, logistics, and sales.
• Assist with shipment and delivery coordination.
• Help improve operational processes and workflows.

• Support the development of licensed apparel products.
• Assist with fabrics, trims, garment specifications, and sampling.
• Coordinate approvals, comments, and revisions with factories.
• Ensure products meet brand, retailer, and compliance standards.
• Communicate daily with overseas factories in Bangladesh, China, and India.
• Track production timelines and maintain critical paths.
• Identify and escalate delays, quality issues, or risks.
• Support packaging, labelling, and compliance processes.
• Assist with costings, pricing, and margin tracking.
• Maintain Excel buying sheets and production trackers.
• Support range building and product selection.
• Work cross-functionally with design, sales, and logistics teams.
• Assist with shipment and delivery coordination.
• Contribute to operational and process improvements.

• 2+ years’ experience in buying, sourcing, or production.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good Excel skills.
• Strong communication and multitasking abilities.
• Fluent English.
• UK work authorisation with a minimum of 1.5 years remaining.

• Experience in gifting, stationery, accessories, or drinkware.
• Experience working with overseas factories.
• Understanding of materials and product specifications.
• Knowledge of compliance standards including CE and UKCA.
• Mandarin or additional languages.

Office-based in Watford (WD24).

First 3 months fully office-based.

Up to 2 days WFH after probation.

If you already have relevant experience and want to grow your career in Buying within a fast-moving licensed consumer products business, apply now.