We are recruiting for a Buying Assistant to join our Buying Team at Bents!

What’s the role?

We are looking for a Buying Assistant to join our dynamic Buying Team here at Bents. This exciting role will see you working across a varied portfolio including Homewear, Childrens Toyshop, Garden Furniture and Christmas.  

You’ll support the Buyer and Buying Team in the full buying cycle, providing accurate, timely and efficient administrative and operational support. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong organisational skills who is looking to develop their buying knowledge and gain exposure to a fast-paced retail environment.

Your daily role will include:

Supporting all stages of the buying cycle under senior team members’ guidance.

Providing administrative and operational support to the Buyer across assigned categories.

Raising purchase orders and setting up new products on internal systems.

Communicating with suppliers via phone and email, handling routine queries professionally and accurately.

Assisting with seasonal range planning, promotions and product launches by collating required information and documentation.

Supporting the online range to ensure it accurately represents the in-store offer.

Carrying out competitor shop reviews and compiling findings for review by the Buyer.

Collaborating with shop floor, warehouse, Visual Merchandising and Merchandising teams to support product flow, availability and in-store displays.

Producing regular and ad hoc reports and supporting with data preparation and analysis in Excel.

Assisting with organising and attending supplier meetings and trade shows, supporting with note-taking and follow-up actions where appropriate.

Helping to monitor sales performance and stock flow by preparing reports and gathering data for review.

Supporting range reviews and performance analysis.

Ensuring supplier documentation and product compliance information is collected and stored accurately.

Acting as a key point of contact for routine supplier and internal queries.

Building effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.

Contributing to projects, team development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Handling colleague, customer and supplier data in line with GDPR requirements.

Demonstrating and promoting the Company Health & Safety culture at all times.

Maintaining a high standard of presentation, punctuality, and reliability.

Carrying out any additional ad hoc duties as required to support the Buying Team and wider business.

Our ideal Buying Assistant will have:

Essential:

Experience working within a buying environment.

Strong organisational and communication skills.

Excellent attention to detail and confidence handling data.

Ability to manage your own admin and prioritise tasks effectively.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Desirable:

Familiarity with stock management or buying systems.

Experience working with branded products and supplier communication.

A relevant qualification in Buying, Fashion, Business, or a related field.

Other details of the Buying Assistant role:

Full-time, Permanent contract. 

Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (37.5 hours per week).

This is an on-site role.

Who are Bents?

We’re a passionate, family-run business with a long-standing reputation for quality, innovation, and creating exceptional experiences. Since 1937, we’ve grown into a unique lifestyle destination offering everything from garden and home ranges to fashion, gifts, and award-winning dining.

At Bents, you’re not just part of a business – you’re part of a family. We value creativity, collaboration, and a customer-first mindset in everything we do.

Why work for us?

28 days holiday including bank holidays, rising to 33 with service.

Free onsite parking.

Staff discount from day one + Family & Friends discount days.

Birthday leave and long service awards.

Company pension scheme.

Free colleague & family events.

Onsite Colleague Bistro and fantastic facilities.

Cycle to work scheme.

Discounted gym membership.

Recognition schemes and development opportunities.

Plus so much more!