Retail Buying Administration Apprentice

Location: Whitfield

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company? If so, then you could be the newest addition to our team as a Retail Buying Administration Apprentice.

Be part of the movement - and play your part. 

About the role  

In this role, you will support the Duty-Free team in delivering its commercial strategy and achieving key business targets. Working closely with Category Managers, Marketing, Operations and suppliers, you will help coordinate promotional activity, maintain accurate product and pricing information, and analyse sales performance to identify opportunities for improvement. You will play an important part in ensuring our onboard shops and eCommerce offering run smoothly and deliver an excellent customer experience.

You will be responsible for the

• Build effective relationships with Category Managers, Marketing, Operations and suppliers, coordinating supplier visits and supporting commercial projects and merchandising initiatives to strengthen category performance and deliver strategic objectives.

• Maintain accurate product master data, retail pricing and e-commerce information across all systems, managing new product setup, ranging decisions, promotional activity, retail system updates and planogram maintenance to ensure effective onboard merchandising.

• Produce and analyse weekly and monthly sales, category and promotional performance reports, identifying trends, opportunities and areas for improvement, while supporting forecasting, stock management and assortment reviews through sales and inventory analysis.

• Coordinate promotional activity across onboard retail and e-commerce channels, ensuring accurate setup, communication and execution, alongside monitoring competitor pricing, market activity and retail price changes.

• Support Category Managers in delivering category strategies, commercial plans and business performance targets across Duty Free retail categories, contributing to sales, margin, supplier income and wider commercial KPIs.

About you 

You have a genuine passion for Buying and a strong desire to develop your career within the retail industry. While previous experience in retail or a related field would be beneficial, we are equally interested in your enthusiasm, willingness to learn and potential to succeed. You are a confident communicator with excellent written and verbal English skills, strong IT proficiency and good working knowledge of Excel.

Highly organised and detail-oriented, you can manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy. With a results-driven mindset, strong analytical skills and a positive, proactive attitude, you enjoy working collaboratively to achieve shared goals. You will also hold a valid driving licence and passport to support travel requirements associated with the role.

We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.   

Working at DFDS  

Join the movement and grow with us.  

Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:

• Life assurance cover

• Contributory company pension scheme

• Holiday Purchase Scheme

• Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips

• Full employee assistance programme including:

• Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for…