Buying Assistant

Buying Assistant (Fixed Term Contract to Jan 2027) – Support Products That Reach Customers Around the World

Location: Avonmouth, Bristol (Hybrid working – 3 days in office Tuesday-Thursday)

Contract: Fixed Term until January 2027

Make Products Happen

At Harding+, product ranges are more than items on shelves - they are part of the experience we create for customers across the globe. We are looking for a Buying Assistant who thrives in a fast-moving environment and enjoys balancing organisation, creativity, and coordination to help bring products from concept through to launch.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative team where your work will directly support global retail ranges and where you will play a hands-on role in helping products reach market successfully.

Why This Role Stands Out

Joining Harding+ means becoming part of a business that operates at pace, manages multiple global suppliers, and delivers ranges across different cruise lines, markets, and seasons. This is a fixed-term opportunity running until January 2027, created to support team capacity during a key period of delivery and growth.

You will work across both core buying activity and product development, supporting everything from order placement and supplier communication through to samples, timelines, and product launches.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety - some days will focus on detailed administrative work, while others involve creative product review, supplier interaction, or range coordination.

You will be based in our Avonmouth office three days per week (Tuesday-Thursday), collaborating closely with the Buying team and stakeholders, with flexibility to work remotely on remaining days.

What You Will Be Doing

Supporting the Buying team, you will help coordinate suppliers, raise orders, manage critical paths, track submissions and samples, and ensure product timelines stay on track.

You will liaise regularly with suppliers to confirm progress, chase updates, and resolve queries, while maintaining accurate product and order data across internal systems.

You will also support product development activity, assisting with sample approvals, product reviews, and competitive research, helping ensure ranges meet both commercial and brand expectations.

Across all tasks, you will play a key role in keeping information organised, deadlines managed, and processes running smoothly.

What Success Looks Like in the First 6 Months

• Strong organisation systems established to manage workload efficiently.
• Supplier communication handled confidently and proactively.
• Orders and data processed accurately and on time.
• Positive relationships built with team members and stakeholders.
• Confidence working across both administrative and creative aspects of the role.

About You

You are highly organised, detail-focused, and comfortable managing multiple priorities at once. You remain calm under pressure, enjoy working to deadlines, and take pride in keeping processes structured and accurate.

You are proactive by nature, willing to chase information, follow up with suppliers, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. You also have an interest in products or retail and enjoy being involved in the journey from concept to delivery.

You understand that some days require focused administrative work, while others bring more variety - and you are comfortable with both.

You Will Likely Bring

Core Capability

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers and timelines simultaneously.
• Clear written communication skills.
• Confidence following up and managing deadlines.

Experience

• Around 1+ year in a buying, merchandising, or similar coordination role preferred.
• Exposure to supplier communication or product coordination.
• Understanding of critical paths or order processes beneficial.

Ways of Working

• Proactive and dependable approach.
• Comfortable balancing repetitive tasks with varied responsibilities
• Calm and resilient under changing deadlines.
• Positive, team-focused attitude.

Technical & Systems Expectations

Advanced technical skills are not required. Basic Excel capability and general system confidence are sufficient - training will be provided. Accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail are far more important than advanced system knowledge.

What You Will Gain

You will be joining a supportive and collaborative organisation where your work directly contributes to global product launches and retail success. Your contribution will be visible, valued, and recognised within a business that operates on a global scale.

We offer a competitive reward package including:

• Annual bonus scheme.
• Company pension.
• Healthcare provision.
• 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• Ongoing career development and progression opportunities.

Alongside this, you will be part of a working environment where development is encouraged, contribution is recognised, and there is genuine opportunity to grow within the business.

About Harding+

Harding+ is the world’s only dedicated cruise retailer, proudly partnering with global cruise lines and operating retail shops across ships worldwide. With millions of transactions annually and a global team of colleagues, we deliver exceptional retail experiences at sea and continue to grow internationally.

We are committed to building diverse teams and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and able to thrive. We hire based on skills, potential, and mindset, and we are excited to meet people who want to help shape what comes next.

If you enjoy keeping things organised, working with products, and being part of a team that brings ideas to life, this role offers the opportunity to do exactly that.

Apply now to join a global retail business where your organisation, curiosity, and initiative will make a real impact from day one.