Buying Assistant

Location: Islington, London, N1 1QP

Hours: Full-time, Monday - Friday

About Borough Kitchen

Borough Kitchen is the UK’s leading premium retailer for people who love to cook and entertain by providing carefully selected products for the kitchen and table alongside trusted advice and inspiration through stores, online and cook school. With five award-winning stores across London and a significant eCommerce presence, our products are sourced globally and each piece is meticulously chosen and tested based on function, quality, and durability. Our commitment has won us a unique, trusted position in the industry and strong partnerships with premium brands.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone at the beginning of their buying career to join Borough Kitchen and learn how a highly curated product range is built, launched and managed. Working closely with the Head of Buying, the Buying Assistant will be at the centre of the day-to-day Buying function, helping product and supplier activity move quickly, accurately and smoothly through the business.

The role is particularly focused on buying administration: new product set-up, product specifications and data, sample management, supplier coordination, critical paths, follow-up and product testing. You will also support the development of Borough Kitchen own-brand products and new launches, gaining hands-on exposure to cookware, tableware and the commercial thinking behind why one product earns a place in our range and another does not.

Previous buying experience is not essential. What matters most is exceptional attention to detail, pace, curiosity and a willingness to learn. Cooking and entertaining should be part of who you are - you’ll want to use, test and understand our products for yourself, developing the product knowledge and instinct that sit at the heart of great buying.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Buying with the day-to-day running of the Buying function, keeping product, supplier and range activity moving at pace
• Own the administration of new product and supplier set-up, gathering and checking specifications, costs, RRPs, barcodes, pack information, compliance documents, imagery and supplier details, and maintaining accurate information across Buying systems and trackers
• Coordinate new product critical paths and follow up with suppliers and internal teams to keep launches, samples and key deadlines on track
• Manage product samples from arrival through to sign-off, including coordinating samples for hands-on product testing, photography, training and marketing
• Actively seek out potential new products, particularly kitchen tools, by researching social media, publications, brands, retailers and the wider market, keeping close to what chefs, cooks and customers are talking about
• Support Borough Kitchen own-brand product development, working with the Head of Buying, Creative Lead and suppliers on samples, specifications, packaging, labelling and product improvements
• Act as a day-to-day contact for suppliers, building positive relationships and following up on product information, samples, costs, availability and agreed actions
• Support range reviews and supplier meetings by preparing relevant sales, margin, stock and product information and following through on agreed actions
• Build detailed knowledge of our products, categories and wider market through hands-on testing, competitor comparison, Cook School use, store visits and feedback from colleagues
• Work closely with Retail, eCommerce, Marketing, Operations, Inventory and Finance to ensure new products are accurately set up, communicated and ready to launch
• Communicate key new products and ranges across the business, distributing product specifications and information through internal systems and communications

Requirements

• Exceptional attention to detail, highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while working at pace
• Proactive, positive and willing to take ownership - someone who sees what needs doing and gets it moving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to build positive relationships with suppliers and colleagues
• Comfortable working with numbers, spreadsheets and product data, with good Excel or Google Sheets skills
• Commercially curious, with a strong eye for product and the initiative to seek out new ideas and understand why products sell, how ranges perform and what drives customer demand
• Cooking and entertaining are genuinely part of who you are - you love to cook, get excited about great cookware and kitchen tools, and naturally want to use, test and compare products for yourself
• Curious about how products feel and perform in real use, with a desire to understand what makes one product stand out from another and how it measures up against our standards of function, quality and durability
• Curious and confident using AI and new technology to work smarter, improve processes and increase productivity
• Eager to learn and build a career in Buying. Previous buying experience is not required; experience in retail, hospitality, product administration or another fast-paced environment would be useful but is not essential

Benefits

• Industry-leading discounts across our portfolio of trusted, high-quality brand
• Complimentary Cook School classes
• Longevity holiday benefit for our longstanding team members
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Free access to our comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential advice to support your wellbeing and provide expert guidance and resources whenever you or your family need it
• Optional BUPA Private Medical Insurance, employee-funded through salary sacrifice

We are a proud London Living Wage employer. This accreditation reflects our commitment to supporting our team not just as employees, but as valued experts in cooking and dining.

Borough Kitchen is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to treating all our employees fairly, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality, ethnicity, age, or physical abilities. We value and respect every team member, whether you're part-time or on a fixed-term contract.