Assistant Buyer - Essentials (Swimwear, Thermals & Underwear)

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Here, everything in our stores starts in Sainsbury’s Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for, all food, non- food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, online and on demand.

It’s an incredibly fast-paced environment. People here are in it together and aren’t afraid to take risks. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. So, if you’re passionate about your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly. Assistant Buyer - Essentials (Swimwear, Thermals & Underwear) - Permanent About the team   You will join the Sainsbury’s Commercial Clothing TU, a dynamic and fast‑paced team responsible for delivering compelling clothing ranges that meet customer needs across channels.

Working at the heart of the commercial function, the team partners closely with Merchandising, Design, Customer Insights, Marketing and Retail to bring great products to market. With a strong focus on collaboration, pace and customer relevance, the Clothing TU plays a key role in shaping the end‑to‑end clothing offer. More about the role   As an Assistant Buyer, you will support the Buyer or Senior Buyer in the day‑to‑day running of the department and the delivery of the category strategy and KPIs.

Playing an integral role within the team, you will help coordinate the critical path, manage samples and approvals, and ensure product development and orders progress in line with agreed timelines. You will work closely with internal teams and suppliers, contributing to competitor analysis, range development and seasonal planning. The role involves preparing for and supporting key meetings, coordinating marketing requirements, managing fit and sampling processes, and deputising for the Buyer when required to ensure continuity of workflow and strong execution.

More about you   You bring strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast‑moving commercial environment. You have a good understanding of product, including fabric and fit, and are commercially aware with a clear focus on the customer and the wider market. You are proactive, adaptable and keen to learn, approaching challenges with a solution‑focused mindset.

Comfortable working under pressure, you maintain attention to detail while building effective relationships with colleagues and suppliers. You naturally demonstrate Sainsbury’s valued behaviours, taking ownership of your work, seeking ways to improve and collaborating positively with others. Essential criteria   Clothing buying experience – previous experience working within a clothing/apparel buying team.

Ability to plan and coordinate critical path activities to support on‑time product delivery. Experience working with suppliers, samples and product approvals, including fit and quality sign‑off processes. Demonstrated ability to analyse competitor activity and market data to generate actionable insights. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.

Effective communication skills, enabling clear collaboration with cross‑functional teams and stakeholders. You’ll split your time between home and Coventry, coming into the office when it matters most for collaboration and business needs. #Commercial We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you.

We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flex