Junior Buyer - New Product Development (NPD)Homeware / Kitchenware / Dine📍 Birmingham (B6)Hybrid - 3 days office - hybrid working (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)£30,000 - £35,000 with 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)The opportunity:This role is all about critical path management for developing new products for retailers. You will assist with pitching to retailers for own brand projects. You will take end to end responsibility for the management of own brand projects on selected retailer accounts under the guidance and support of the Buyer.What will my accountabilities be?Understand each customer’s critical path and timelines in order to prompt for briefs and/or tenders at the start of the critical path for each season.Understand the individual elements and requirements of customers, eg approved factory lists, audit requirements etc.Work with and manage critical paths and key dates for all resource and new linesBrief suppliers on new projects ( as required by a customer / retailer or with the intention of pitching).Negotiate best pricing and ensure all products being brought to market are in line with market competition.Ensure familiarity with customer’s current ranges and help to identify potential gaps in range in order to work on a proposal to fill the gaps.A great candidate will have:At least 3 years’ experience in an administrative/support role preferably as an Assistant Buyer within a Buying office environment managing a critical path, samples and developing new products.Experience in Far East sourcing and negotiating with suppliers.Experience of working in a fast paced environment.Excellent verbal and written communication skills – will need to liaise extensively with China.Ability to work in a structured and methodical manner and to deadlines.The Process?Apply today with your most up-to-date CV that will be reviewed by our MKJ Recruitment team.First Stage: 1 hour Teams meeting with the hiring managerSecond Stage: In person interview at their offices with presentationIf you can be in the office in Birmingham 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) and have retail merchandising experience, please share a copy of your profile with me at #####🤝People are at the heart of everything we do. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process that means people can be their best authentic self. We would love to reply to all applications, regrettably we are unable to do so due to the high volumes we receive, so if you do not hear back within 14 days unfortunately on this role it won’t be progressing. It is possible that the position could be in the process of closing, so chalk it up to bad timing. But, have no fear! There will be more opportunities. Follow us at Mackenzie Jones Recruitment so you don’t miss them.