Assistant Buying Manager

Assistant Buying Manager – Licensed Apparel
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire (Office-based with hybrid working after probation)
Salary: £32,000–£34,000 DOE + genuine progression
Hours: Monday–Thursday 09:00–18:00 | Friday 09:00–16:30
Develop Licensed Apparel for Major Global Brands

We're looking for a commercially minded Assistant Buying Manager with experience in licensed apparel and softlines. This role is centred on developing licensed clothing, nightwear, loungewear, accessories and fashion products for major retailers, working closely with licensors, design teams and overseas manufacturers.

The ideal candidate will understand the unique demands of licensed apparel, including brand guidelines, licensor approvals, retailer expectations, critical paths, seasonal ranges and the pace required to launch products tied to some of the world's biggest entertainment, gaming and lifestyle brands.

If you are an organised and motivated individual looking to build your career within buying and product management, we would love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing
• Develop and source innovative licensed apparel and softline products, with a particular focus on clothing.
• Manage product development from concept through design, licensor approvals, sampling and production.
• Liaise daily with customers, licensors, designers and Far East factories.
• Negotiate costs and protect product margins.
• Manage critical paths to ensure seasonal and retailer launch dates are achieved.
• Coordinate artwork, labelling, packaging, compliance, quality and garment specifications.
• Identify new product, range and category opportunities within licensed apparel and softlines.
We're Looking For
• 2+ years' experience in buying, sourcing or product development within licensed apparel, fashion or softlines.
• Experience developing softline categories such as clothing, nightwear, loungewear, accessories or similar.
• A solid understanding of the licensed product approval process and working with licensors.
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers, ideally China.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent Excel and organisational skills.
• Confident communicator who enjoys taking ownership and solving problems.
Desirable
• Experience working with leading entertainment, gaming or character licences.
• Knowledge of garment compliance, labelling and broader apparel product requirements.
• Experience attending supplier meetings or factory visits in the Far East.
• Experience working with major UK retailers and their product development processes.
• Mandarin or another relevant language.
Why Join Us?
• Work on products for globally recognised licensed brands.
• Genuine ownership and influence over product development.
• Clear progression into a Buying Manager role.
• Collaborative, fast-moving environment.
• Early finish every Friday.
• Free parking.
• Hybrid working after successful probation.

Please Note
This role is specifically aimed at candidates who already have experience within the licensed consumer products industry, ideally within apparel or softlines. While experience in buying or procurement is valuable, applicants without exposure to licensed products and apparel/softline consumer categories are unlikely to be suitable.