At NEXT, we are constantly evolving. Our Procurement Services team is at the heart of this growth, supporting our Total Platform Partners—including Victoria's Secret, Reiss and FatFace—alongside our own brands like Love & Roses.
We have an opportunity for an Assistant Category Buyer to join us at Head Office. In this role, you will be the bridge between our partners and suppliers, managing essential requirements for gift cards, consumables, and packaging 'Goods Not For Resale'.
If you are commercially minded and ready to work at pace, this is an incredible place to build your career.
What you'll take on
You will play a vital role in ensuring our partners receive the best service and value to support their expansion plans.
* Sourcing & Innovation: Identify potential suppliers and build networks to ensure we always work with best-practice partners.
* Tender Management: Prepare detailed tender documents and assessments of supplier performance to keep our operations efficient.
* Negotiation & Appraisals: Conduct financial appraisals and lead second-stage negotiations using our eSourcing tools.
* Supplier Relations: Formally measure performance against SLAs and KPIs, conducting operational reviews to ensure high standards.
* Strategic Support: Manage stakeholder expectations and act as a link between our users and suppliers to resolve any non-conformance issues.
* Financial Insight: Drive best-practice payment processes and assist our Finance team with spend analysis and budget queries.
What you'll bring
We are looking for a person who is knowledgeable, positive, and ready to take on responsibility.
Essential Criteria:
* Education: Educated to degree level or possess relevant professional experience.
* Analytical Mindset: A strong financial understanding with the ability to analyse data and trends accurately.
* Communication: An inspiring communicator who can build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
* Negotiation: Proven negotiation skills and the ability to influence outcomes.
* Proactive Approach: A can-do attitude with the ability to solve problems and work on your own initiative.
* Organisation: Excellent time management and planning skills to manage multiple priorities at pace.
* Digital Skills: Proficient in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs) or Microsoft equivalent.
Desirable Criteria:
* Tools: Experience using eSourcing platforms.
* Procurement Knowledge: Practical understanding of the procurement lifecycle.
* Experience: Prior experience in buying or supplier management roles.
#LI-DC1
You know Next, but did you know we're a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We're the UK's 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we're the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it's now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world So we've gone global
* 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
* Company performance based bonus
* Sharesave scheme
* On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
* 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
* Early VIP access to sale stock
* Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
* Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
* Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
* Free on-site parking
* Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
* Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
* Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
* Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
* Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on and leave a voicemail.