Assistant Buyer - Gifting & Accessories

We’re looking for a freelance assistant/junior buyer to join the retail team of a cultural and creative organisation based in central London, working across a diverse range of gifts, design-led homeware, and stationery. This is a temporary role for an initial 3 months. Suitable candidates must be immediately available and not on notice.

This is a hands-on, end-to-end buying & product development role, working closely with cross-functional teams and external suppliers to bring thoughtful, commercially-minded products to life — all rooted in creativity, storytelling, and quality.

The role:
- Develop and deliver seasonal and campaign-based product ranges across gifting, homeware, and stationery.
- Manage the full product lifecycle — from concept and supplier briefing through to final delivery.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure product alignment with marketing, merchandising, and creative strategies.
- Support packaging development and ensure all specs, artwork, and product information are accurate and production-ready.
- Maintain product trackers, timelines, and costings with close attention to detail and commercial awareness.
- Research trends and product innovations to inform development direction and suggest new ideas.
- Contribute to sustainability initiatives and supplier data collection where needed.

The candidate:
- Prior experience in a buying/product development role, ideally within gift, stationery, accessories, and jewellery.
- Strong knowledge of sourcing and production processes, with experience working with UK and overseas suppliers.
- Confident managing timelines, critical paths, and multiple product categories simultaneously.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving and organisational skills.
- A strong eye for product, with good aesthetic judgement and attention to quality and detail.
- Commercially minded, with the ability to balance creativity with margin and price considerations.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Microsoft NAV is a bonus.

As a freelancer you will receive a competitive hourly rate, paid weekly, alongside paid holiday entitlement and the opportunity to join a pension scheme.

This is a temporary opportunity, likely to be filled quickly — so apply today to avoid missing out!