Apprentice Buying Assistant; Clothing

Join to apply for the Apprentice Buying Assistant (Clothing) role at Poundland & Dealz

Salary: From £20,800 for those 18 to 20 years old / from £25,396 for those 21 and over

Contract Type: Full Time

Working Pattern: Permanent

Hours: 40.0

Start your career with us and become part of a team that buys fantastic clothing every week. You will thrive on handling multiple tasks, stay expertly organised, and enjoy learning new skills in a fast‑paced environment. Natural negotiating skills are a plus.

• Professional development: A comprehensive induction plan and a recognised qualification through our apprenticeship programme.
• Bonus Potential:
  Unlock the possibility of earning additional bonuses, rewarding your hard work and achievements.
• Free On‑Site Parking:
  Enjoy the convenience of free parking, making your daily commute hassle‑free.
• On‑site Coffee Lounge:
  Take advantage of our onsite coffee lounge, a perfect space to relax and recharge during breaks.
• Exclusive Store Discounts:
  Receive a 10% discount on most in‑store purchases, enhancing your shopping experience.
• Family‑Friendly Benefits:
  Our comprehensive benefits are designed to support your and your family’s needs.
• My Staff Shop:
  Gain exclusive discounts through our ‘My Staff Shop’ portal, saving on various products and services.
• Life Assurance Cover:
  Enjoy peace of mind with our life assurance cover, securing your family’s future.
• Health & Wellbeing Programme:
  Benefit from an employee assistance programme that supports your health and wellbeing.
• Holiday Allowance:
  Start with 28 days (inc banks) leave entitlement that increases by one day each year (up to 33 days), with the option to buy additional holiday annually. Celebrate your special day off work every year with an extra day’s holiday because we believe birthdays are important.
• Pension Scheme:
  Plan for the future with our contributory pension scheme, helping you save for a secure retirement.

A couple of months after you join us you will enrol on an 18‑month Level 4 Buying & Merchandising Apprenticeship, aligned to the Buying function. You will be mentored by experienced leaders and guided by our external provider. Responsibility will be given early, and you will have your own scheme of work to manage, seeing your efforts playing out in front of you.

Once you have completed the apprenticeship and are ready, a Junior Buyer role will be just around the corner.

• Assisting with competitor shopping reports, including website reviews, store visits and analysing promotional activity to identify missed opportunities.
• Supporting the organisation of product samples, helping bring in the next viral product.
• Being a key support in the range build process.
• Taking ownership of spreadsheets – data is key in buying – along with category admin tasks, including the essential critical path for category products.
• Arranging supplier meetings and attending where needed.
• Being part of the category management team, working across departments, building your internal network and understanding the product lifecycle.

Your attention to detail is on point, you can navigate an Excel spreadsheet with ease and your analytical skills are second to none. You have a passion for clothing and you have at least a grade 4/C in GCSE Maths and English. You are a natural team player who thrives in a bustling workplace, builds relationships, is positive, determined, and has a competitive mindset.

So is this role right for you? You may have just finished college, having done your A‑Levels (or equivalent), or you might be a Graduate looking for your first step into buying. Apply today and don’t forget to include a cover letter at the front of your CV.