Buying and Merchandising Apprentice (Fixed Term Contract)
AMAZON UK SERVICES LTD. · Worship Street, EC2A 2FA
Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4)
Are you passionate about the world of retail and eager to kickstart your career in this dynamic industry? Join us as a Buying and Merchandising Apprentice and embark on an exciting journey where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our product offerings.
The work
As a Buying and Merchandising Apprentice, you'll work at the heart of our operation - analysing data, identifying trends, and presenting your findings to senior leadership. You'll work cross-functionally, interacting with teams like marketing, finance, and IT, and gaining invaluable experience across many aspects of our business.
A day in the life can involve:
- Supporting the selection and development of new products, ensuring they align with our brand and customer needs.
- Accurately maintaining our product portfolio and supplier agreements.
- Collating and analysing sales and performance reports to identify trends and trading patterns.
- Communicating findings and proposing data-driven solutions to optimise our product offerings.
- Collaborating with the buying and merchandising teams to contribute to department and company sales and profit targets.
To thrive in this dynamic field, you must possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret data, identify insightful patterns, and leverage these insights to drive informed decision-making. Meticulous attention to detail is essential, as you will be responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records and producing robust sales forecasts. An innate commercial acumen and an interest in consumer behaviour and market trends are also critical, as this role requires aligning buying and merchandising strategies with evolving customer expectations. You should have a genuine interest in the retail industry and a proven track record of translating data into actionable recommendations. Adaptability and effective communication skills will also be paramount, as you collaborate with cross-functional teams and respond to changing market conditions.
In this comprehensive programme, you will delve into the intricacies of merchandising strategies, equipping yourself with the skills needed to expertly plan and optimise product assortments for retail success. A crucial aspect involves mastering sourcing and negotiation, where you'll learn to identify reliable suppliers, negotiate contracts, and secure optimal deals. The curriculum covers the nuances of inventory management, providing insights into effectively managing stock levels, tracking trends, and minimising losses. Additionally, the programme ensures you stay on top of retail trends, keeping you well-informed about the ever-changing retail landscape and evolving consumer preferences.
This course emphasises the importance of data analysis, honing your proficiency in utilising data to make informed buying and merchandising decisions. Lastly, the programme enhances your skills in visual merchandising, empowering you to create visually appealing content that not only captivates but also drives sales. Through this comprehensive approach, you will be well-prepared to navigate and succeed in the dynamic world of retail.
We value different perspectives and experiences, and we're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our employee-led affinity groups including communities for women in tech, LGBTQ+ employees, and underrepresented minorities, foster a culture on inclusion that empowers us to be proud of our differences. These groups provide community, mentorship, and a platform for your voice to be heard. We’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the customers and communities we serve.
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Your career isn't a straight path - it's a journey you build as you go. A universe of opportunity awaits, and your next adventure starts here.
Training
- You will gain a vast range of useful experiences and skills whilst working towards the Level 4 Apprenticeship standard in Buying and Merchandising.
- As a working student your focus is to complete your studies in your 20% off the job time by learning and developing your skills, knowledge and behaviours to work towards successful graduation.
- Please note: As part of your off-the-job learning, you may be required to travel to a training centre. This location may differ from your primary work base.
- Candidates should be prepared for occasional travel as part of the apprenticeship programme. You will be set objectives and goals by your training provider and manager to support your studies.
- You will build your skills over a 24-month period, starting in September. These skills will help you develop personally and professionally.
- Your apprenticeship will be made up of classroom/virtual based training to cover knowledge, on-the-job training at your Amazon base location, online learning as well as mentoring from our experienced team members.
Training provider: SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
What you come out with
Alongside extensive development of your technical skills, you will also grow your abilities in crucial complementary areas like organisation, prioritisation, data and problem-solving techniques, teamwork, communication, and presentation skills.
Once you have successfully completed you will be able to apply for relevant roles across the business.
What they are looking for
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
Qualifications
- Essential · GCSE 5 x GCSE’s including Maths and English 4-9 (A*-C) or above
Things to consider
This position will be based in a Corporate Office. We advise you to submit your application as soon as possible, as the roles will close once filled. We will be holding online assessments from November through to February, with assessment centres taking place between February and May.
The employer
Amazon offers a range of opportunities to suit candidates with different backgrounds, qualifications and career aspirations. That is why we believe it is the perfect place to learn new skills. We believe that building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive is integral to people doing their best work and is essential to what we can achieve as a company. We take steps to ensure our colleagues have a sense of belonging, value, and opportunity.
Workplace
- 1 Principal Place, Worship Street, EC2A 2FA