Assistant Buyer (Hybrid, minimum 3 days / week to be office based)

MORI is a digitally native, direct-to-consumer baby and toddler clothing brand established and headquartered in London. We exist to inspire parents to raise kinder generations so together we can give babies a softer & stronger start. We are a hard-working and close-knit team dedicated to creating quality products and a brand loved by parents, globally. For a young emerging brand, MORI has achieved significant critical acclaim and global recognition, partly fuelled by celebrity endorsements such as Kim Kardashian and other influencers, as well as winning multiple awards incl. Best Baby Brand (2018, 2019, 2020), Most Eco-Friendly Brand (2020, 2021, 2022), The Queen's Awards for Enterprise (2022), Can’t Live Without Parenting Product (2021, 2023), Made for Mum (2024).

Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Assistant Buyer to join our small but mighty team and play a key role in supporting the Buying and Product department across a wide range of product-related activities. In this role, you will be primarily focused on managing samples, liaising with suppliers, and providing essential administrative support. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organised, and is eager to contribute to the success of our Buying and Product department by ensuring smooth operations throughout the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Management and Admin

• Manage the Critical Path from concept through design sketches/swatch to final buying sample
• Maintain and update the Product Launch Trackers and Annual Plan, ensuring all timelines are accurate and current
• Flag any issues or delays to the manager, design, and buying teams as needed
• Support the team in designing collections and creating commercially viable product ranges
• Coordinate supplier approvals for lab dips, prints, pre-production samples, and shipment samples
• Provide administrative support to the Junior Buyer and Head of Product.
• Organise and manage all samples, ensuring they are easily accessible, properly labeled, and stored in an orderly manner
• Inspect PPS and shipment samples for defects and ensure compliance with UK/EU and US labeling requirements
• Order samples for the Photography team in a timely manner and coordinate with them for upcoming shoots
• Prepare for bi-weekly Product Development meetings with the CEO and the wider team
• Take notes during bi-weekly product meetings with the wider team and CEO
• Prepare monthly product meeting decks, including relevant photos

Supplier Liaison

• Lead weekly Critical Path calls with key suppliers to ensure smooth progress
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier details in all relevant systems
• Support the Design assistant in preparing tech packs and follow up with suppliers as needed
• Coordinate the development and tracking of Proto, Pre-Production, and Shipment samples, ensuring all necessary information is available for efficient weekly Product meetings

Commercial Awareness

• Conduct regular competitor research across UK, EU, and US markets, analyzing both online platforms and, where applicable, in-store visits
• Monitor trends, pricing strategies, product assortments, and marketing approaches to gain valuable market insights
• Identify gaps and opportunities within our product range based on competitor analysis and consumer trends
• Provide detailed feedback and reports to the team, highlighting key findings and recommending potential product development opportunities
• Stay informed on emerging trends and industry shifts, ensuring our product offerings remain competitive and commercially relevant

General Office Maintenance 

• Opening and sending post, filing submissions, hanging samples, organising sample sales, arranging couriers and ordering pantones
• Organise office  and monitor stock levels ordering samples from warehouse when needed
• Maintain office supplies and order as and when required

• 3+ years buying experience, ideally within a smaller business, with a passion for trends, fashion, and babywear, and a strong desire to build a career in fashion buying
• A hands-on, proactive individual who isn’t afraid to go the extra mile
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator is preferred but not essential
• Strong ability to build open and effective relationships with team members
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take initiative
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, particularly in Excel and Google Sheets

• Industry competitive salary
• 24 days holidays + UK public bank holidays
• Flexible working hours (core hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm)
• Opportunity to work hybrid (3 days a week in the office, 2 days a week from home) 
• Enhanced parental leave policy
• Regular social activities
• Up to 50% discount on our collections
• Cycle to work scheme
• A dog friendly office in West London (nearest tube Ladbroke Grove or White City)