Assistant Buyer – 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
📍 Leighton Buzzard, UK | Hybrid – up to 2 days WFH
⏳ Full-time | Fixed-term contract ending 30 September 2027, with potential for extension
👤 Reports to: Global Director of Sourcing
🏢 Department: Product / Buying
About WVH
WVH® is one of the UK's leading suppliers of premium wood veneers and decorative surface materials. With more than 30 years of heritage, we have built a strong reputation for quality, innovation and exceptional customer service, working with customers and suppliers across the UK and internationally.
As our business continues to grow, we're looking for an enthusiastic and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our Product & Buying team on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in Buying, Sourcing and Product Development within a fast-growing international business.
Working closely with the Global Director of Sourcing, you'll support the full product development lifecycle — from initial sourcing and supplier discussions through to development, costing, samples, testing, quality, compliance and successful product launches.
This is a varied, hands-on role where you'll work directly with suppliers and teams across the business, gaining broad commercial experience and increasing responsibility as you develop.
Key ResponsibilitiesBuying & Supplier Management
- Support the day-to-day management of existing and prospective suppliers
- Communicate with suppliers regarding products, pricing, samples, specifications and availability
- Obtain and compare supplier quotations
- Support supplier research and selection
- Monitor supplier lead times, responses and outstanding actions
- Develop strong supplier relationships
- Support supplier negotiations and commercial discussions
- Identify opportunities for improved pricing, products or alternative sourcing
New Product Development
- Support new products from initial concept through to commercial launch
- Coordinate product-development projects and timelines
- Request and manage product samples, reviews and revisions
- Communicate specifications and requirements to suppliers
- Track development milestones and outstanding actions
- Coordinate product changes following feedback, testing or quality reviews
- Maintain accurate development documentation
Costing & Commercial Support
- Obtain and maintain accurate supplier costs
- Support product costing and margin analysis
- Compare supplier pricing and identify cost-saving opportunities
- Monitor changes in supplier costs
- Support commercial negotiations
- Help review product profitability and commercial performance
Quality, Compliance & Product Data
- Coordinate product samples and quality-control processes
- Support product testing and certification requirements
- Liaise with suppliers regarding quality issues and improvements
- Maintain accurate product specifications and compliance documentation
- Ensure supplier information is complete and accurate
- Help resolve missing or inconsistent product information
Product Launches
- Support the preparation of new products for launch
- Maintain launch checklists and timelines
- Coordinate outstanding supplier and development actions
- Work with Marketing, eCommerce and other teams to ensure product information is ready ahead of launch
- Monitor early product issues and help coordinate their resolution
Shopify & Product Systems
You'll also gain exposure to how product information flows through Shopify and WVH's wider product systems, supporting accurate product information and online product launches.
Previous Shopify experience would be ideal but is not compulsory.
We're more interested in someone with strong attention to detail, confidence working with data and systems, and the ability and enthusiasm to learn new technology quickly.
Working Across the Business
You'll work closely with colleagues across Buying, Product, Marketing, eCommerce, Operations, Finance, Customer Excellence, Quality and Product Data, as well as suppliers and colleagues internationally.
You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to improving our Buying and Product Development processes through technology, automation and AI.
Trade Fairs & International Travel
There may be opportunities to attend UK and international trade fairs, supplier exhibitions and industry events, helping identify new products, suppliers and market trends.
The role may also offer opportunities for international business travel to support supplier visits, sourcing and product-development activities.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is:
- Commercially minded and naturally curious
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Proactive and comfortable managing multiple priorities
- Confident communicating with suppliers and internal teams
- Interested in products and how they are developed
- Comfortable working with data and systems
- Keen to learn and take on increasing responsibility
- Positive about using technology, AI and automation
- Interested in developing a career in Buying, Sourcing and Product Development
Previous experience in Buying, Procurement, Sourcing, Product Development, Merchandising, Supply Chain or a similar commercial role would be beneficial.
Shopify experience is desirable but not essential.
Development & Progression
The role is designed to provide broad exposure to Buying, Sourcing and Product Development.
As your knowledge and experience grow, you'll have the opportunity to take increasing ownership of:
- Individual suppliers
- Product categories
- New product development projects
- Supplier negotiations
- Product costing
- Product launches
- Commercial and sourcing projects
This makes the position particularly suited to someone at an early stage of their Buying career who wants to gain genuine hands-on experience and develop quickly within an international business.
Important – Fixed-Term Contract
This position is being offered on a fixed-term basis.
The appointment will be for up to 12 months depending on the successful candidate's start date and will end on 30 September 2027.
The employment will terminate on this date unless extended.
There is potential for extension, but applicants should apply on the understanding that the advertised position is a fixed-term contract ending 30 September 2027.
Why Join WVH?
You'll join a collaborative and supportive international team and gain hands-on experience across the entire Buying and Product Development lifecycle.
Rather than being limited to administration, you'll have the opportunity to work directly with suppliers, contribute to real product-development projects and launches, develop your commercial knowledge and gradually take ownership of your own suppliers and projects.
If you're commercially curious, passionate about products and looking to build your career in Buying, Sourcing or Product Development, we'd love to hear from you.