Location

Hybrid: 1-2 days at our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham.

Why The Works?

We don’t just sell products.
We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.

This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.

Become a Buying Assistant

As part of our team of Buying Assistants, you’ll play a pivotal role in the smooth running of busy Buying department. You’ll be a key player in our Commercial team, maintaining accurate information and communication, organising samples and data, and acting as the main point of contact between different business functions and our supply base. Your high level of organisation will be vital, and you’ll contribute to our Caring, Crafty and Can-do culture.

You will be someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about making impactful decisions. Always ready to drive value and support our team!

Your Mission

• Supplier Performance, manage supplier performance through building long-term relationships with domestic and Far East suppliers.

• Store/Website Visits, conduct regular visits and review customer trends to inform future product and range requirements.

• Competition Monitoring, monitor the competition and report on areas where aren’t competitive.

• Critical Path Management, ensure all milestones are completed on time, including sample approvals.

• Range Building, help build and source ranges and drive product innovation.

• Trade Support, support the delivery of trade, promotions and event plans.

• Merchandising Support, assist the Merchandising Team to get our products in store and online on time.

• Quality Assurance, work with suppliers and the QA team to ensure product quality is achieved and maintained.

• Design Collaboration, ensure the Design Team has accurate and up-to-date product and packaging information.

• Administration, handle general tasks including new line setup, completing landed cost sheets, and product information.

• Departmental Support, provide support with samples, tidying and organising.

• Communication, manage product changes, orders and briefing artwork to suppliers.

• Customer Queries, respond to general queries from stores, the web, and customers.

Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

• Attention to Detail: You have a forensic attention to detail to help us get things right the first time.

• Colleague-Focused Approach: You prioritise making things easier for our colleagues, clearly explaining the why, how, what, and when.

• Teamwork and Collaboration: You believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration as the best way to achieve results. Able to multitask and prioritise workload alongside good time management.

• Networking and Relationships: You understand the importance of networking and building strong relationships.

• Self-Starter: You are a self-starter committed to driving your own development.

• Computer Literate: Working knowledge of Microsoft systems including Word, Excel & Outlook.

Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’

• 💪 25% Colleague Discount! - Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!

• 😎 MyWorks - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more

• 🏡 Family Friendly Leave - Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.

• 🚀 Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.

• 💃 Holiday Purchase - Purchase an additional 5 days

• 🎓 Can-Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.

• 💸 Stream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!

• 🏬 Share Scheme - Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!

• 💛 24/7 support for you and your family - Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!

• 🩺 Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs

• 🥳 And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.

Our Purpose

To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play 💛💙

Our Values

We are Crafty 🎨 | Smart with what we've got.

We are Caring 💛 | Heart in every action.

We are Can-do 🚀| Energy that gets it done.

We Listen. We Care

Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we'll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!