Assistant Buyer

Education/Qualification

• 2010 Master’s in Business Administration First Class – Mexico
• 2004 University International Business Degree – Mexico
• 2001 College International Commerce Degree

Systems used

• Microsoft Word and Excel – Basic / Intermediate
• Sage, CRM, and other In-house systems

Career Summary

Current Employer – Global Distributor

Position – Assisatnt Buyer

Dates – 2024 – Present

• Reports to Directors and Senior Leadership Team – works with Internal and External Stakeholders
• Deliver category growth targets through strategic planning and execution
• Manage a purchasing portfolio exceeding £5 million annually across key categories and supplier networks
• Negotiate and implement Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and marketing initiatives in collaboration with manufacturers and suppliers
• Effectively mitigate cost price increases through strategic sourcing and negotiation
• Leverage industry network to source the most competitive market deals and commercial opportunities
• Proactively manage supplier and manufacturer payments, including negotiation of favourable payment terms to optimize cash flow
• Own and execute the promotional calendar across assigned categories, ensuring alignment with business objectives and supplier agreements
• Ensure all supplier orders are accurately placed within 24 hours of enquiry to maintain supply chain efficiency
• Foster and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers to support ongoing commercial success

Previous Employer – Wholesaler  

Position – Purchasing Assistant

Dates – January 2020 – 2024

• Work in a team of 3 and report to Purchasing Manager
• Negotiate supplier prices – complete 6-month Forecasts for Suppliers than negotiate the price from that
• Raising and managing Purchase Orders accurately in a timely manner on the ERP system to meet strict deadlines
• Consulting daily with overseas offices and suppliers
• Responsible for taking accurate highly specific requirements from customers during their orders process, and closely manage each order placed, to ensure products arrive on time
• Managed all deliveries- ensuring all are on time and chased outstanding deliveries with Suppliers
• Responsible for that all buys are listed correctly, and any changes are clearly communicated and updated accurately to all relevant parties
• First point of contact within the department for data entry, purchase order information and obtaining lead times
• Produce ad hoc reports and gather information as instructed by the Purchase Manager
• Implemented and involved with development of new in-house systems and staff training on new systems
• Responsibility for monitoring product stock levels, and rates of sale, to highlight buying trends and suggest potential purchasing lines to the management
• Manage and maintain the department’s critical path, which involves chasing relevant parties for outstanding items, to ensure all milestones are adhered to, and keeping the in-house ERP system constantly updated
• Daily use of Microsoft Excel’s spreadsheets, which the company uses to calculate prices/stock quantities etc. 0 update and recalculate critical data on the sheets as situations change
• Manage a small group of suppliers required to liaise daily via email / telephone and WeChat
• Arranging shipments with careful planning to maximize the space and selection of products Vs quantities required for the different markets
• Sourcing of third-party transportation and customs clearance companies, to negotiate the best rates available at the time
• Manage the department during times Line Manager is away, and recently have covered the department during her maternity leave

Previous Employer – Distribution Company  

Position – Assistant Buyer for Home, Kitchen, and Summer Ranges

Dates – 2019 – January 2020

• Based in the Buying Team and responsible for creating new products and maintaining data integrity on the in-house system
• Responsible for calculating landed costs, comparing pricing and products from multiple suppliers to establish the best options
• Raises and manages Purchase Orders whilst liaising with overseas offices and suppliers
• Set up FOB, Direct and Customer Specific orders and followed up to ensure orders arrived on time and to the customer specification
• Produced ad hoc reports and gathered information as instructed by the Buyer
• Monitor stock levels and rates of sale to help maintain healthy stocks
• Reviewed and maintained the Critical Path whilst updating the in-house system accordingly
• Managed the Sample process, involving requesting, reviewing and managed all samples for the category
• Responsible for researching the market for development of new products
• Ensured the Pricing process is completed efficiently and accurately on behalf of the Buyer
• Carried out the accurate filing and maintenance of all required records in line with company procedures
• Attended meetings and took comprehensive and detailed meeting notes and actions

Previous Employer – Corporate Office  

Position – Assistant Buyer

Dates – 2012 – 2019

• Based in the Worked with suppliers at factories based in China on a daily basis – key product categories included fashion designed pencil cases, backpacks, lunch bags and paper stationery and key customers were supermarkets, multiple retailers, and wholesale distributors in over thirty countries worldwide
• Worked with critical path programs, ensuring that product selection through to shipment was smooth and efficient, meeting client expectations and timelines
• Managed all aspect of the order process including samples, testing, labelling, packaging, inspections, shipping, and paperwork
• As a member of the Product Development Team, worked with the Buying Directors and Head of Design to implement a comprehensive range of stationery products, including own brand, and bespoke customer product
• With particular focus on product data management, customer and supplier liaison was responsible for maintaining the critical path, sample management and general administration
• Sourced new factories to strengthen the portfolio of suppliers, allowing to remain competitive in the direct importing of products for the major retailers
• Project management of client order, fulfil their requests and expectations
• Negotiated cost prices with all current and new suppliers
• Liaised with Far East suppliers on a daily basis via email, Skype, and telephone on all aspects regarding purchase orders, samples, delivery dates and other ad hoc requests
• Prepared and update client’s quotations and spreadsheets
• Raised and processed customer purchase orders in SAGE
• Arranged the testing of products – specific to each client’s requirements
• Maintained good customer relations by assisting the Buying Team with customer requests for information, photographs, samples, and quotes
• Arranged all aspects of shipping goods for UK, and international clients including merchandising, product testing and inspections
• Critical path management to ensure all new product launches, and current ranges hit all the required dates from initial sample approval to the goods shipping