L4 Buying and Merchandising Apprentice

Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Plant Buyer to join our team at the QD Group, a family-owned business with 21 garden centres, including 18 Cherry Lanes, 31 QD Stores, and Lathams of Potter Heigham. The role is based at our Norwich office. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual.

Wage

£25,000 a year

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N/A

Training course

Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4)

Hours

TBC at Interview stage.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 June 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Duties include taking full ownership of the plant and home-grown category, with accountability for sales, margins, and profitability in this fast-paced market

Develop and execute category strategies to meet business targets, translating market insights into actionable plans
Cultivate strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external stakeholders to ensure seamless product delivery and performance
Conduct in-depth market research to identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and competitor activities
Use data and insights to drive decisions on product selection, pricing, and positioning

Where you'll work

52-56 Magdalen Street
Norwich
NR3 1JE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Uses their market/industry knowledge to contribute to new product development and innovation
Contributes to the building of customer focused ranges to meet the brand identity of the business
Ensures product quality and legal compliance by working within industry standards, regulations and legislation to source, purchase and sell goods
Ensures accurate implementation of the critical path prioritising actions accordingly
Negotiates in a manner that balances the need for a sound financial return, with the need to operate ethically, honestly and fairly
Monitors agreed performance targets with suppliers to manage ongoing supplier relationships
Applies the organisation strategy to buying and/or merchandising to ensure strategic objectives are met
Applies an ethical and sustainable approach to the buying and merchandising process in line with policies and procedures to achieve legal compliance
Ensures the agreed route to market is delivered and maintained successfully so that objectives are met
Works with external and internal departments (for example, marketing, distribution, suppliers) to build relationships to drive sales activity and support the delivery of the business objectives across all channels
Uses data to support decisions to influence both the strategic and operational direction of the buying and/or merchandising approach.
Demonstrates accurate application of systems in analysing data (for example, customer trends, buying patterns, stock rotation and levels)
Evaluates commercial performance to support proposed actions for both good and poor product performers
Demonstrates anticipation of customer buying and product patterns to forecast future demand
Articulates relevant ideas and opinions towards trends and competitor activity so that opportunities may be identified
Applies customer profile/trend data to inform the development of a range, products and services
Formulates and communicates customer propositions
Develops self and individuals to improve personal and team performance and capability
Demonstrates commercial buying and merchandising within a financial framework
Operates in a manner that produces the required financial rate of return for the business
Coaches and mentors new/less experienced colleagues
Analyses and presents business data to support achievement of business strategies, brand and KPIs
Ensures effective stock management to support the delivery of the sales and profit forecasts
Uses their market/industry knowledge to contribute to new product development and innovation
Contributes to the building of customer focused ranges to meet the brand identity of the business
Ensures product quality and legal compliance by working within industry standards, regulations and legislation to source, purchase and sell goods
Ensures accurate implementation of the critical path prioritising actions accordingly
Negotiates in a manner that balances the need for a sound financial return, with the need to operate ethically, honestly and fairly
Monitors agreed performance targets with suppliers to manage ongoing supplier relationships
Applies the organisation strategy to buying and/or merchandising to ensure strategic objectives are met
Applies an ethical and sustainable approach to the buying and merchandising process in line with policies and procedures to achieve legal compliance
Ensures the agreed route to market is delivered and maintained successfully so that objectives are met
Works with external and internal departments (for example, marketing, distribution, suppliers) to build relationships to drive sales activity and support the delivery of the business objectives across all channels
Uses data to support decisions to influence both the strategic and operational direction of the buying and/or merchandising approach.
Demonstrates accurate application of systems in analysing data (for example, customer trends, buying patterns, stock rotation and levels)
Evaluates commercial performance to support proposed actions for both good and poor product performers
Demonstrates anticipation of customer buying and product patterns to forecast future demand
Articulates relevant ideas and opinions towards trends and competitor activity so that opportunities may be identified
Applies customer profile/trend data to inform the development of a range, products and services
Formulates and communicates customer propositions
Develops self and individuals to improve personal and team performance and capability
Demonstrates commercial buying and merchandising within a financial framework
Operates in a manner that produces the required financial rate of return for the business
Coaches and mentors new/less experienced colleagues

Your training plan

The apprentice will receive full on-the-job training from the employer as well as 20% off-the-job training. They will have the full support from the SCL trainer, The apprentice will gain a L4 in Buying and Merchandising assistant.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade 4)
English (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Presentation skills
Creative

Other requirements

The role will require a full manual driving license. There will be travel involved, initially with another member of the team but later on by themselves. They will be required to work on shopfloor and in plant nurseries on occasion when required. This is an office based role, no WFH or hybrid working. Salary £25-£30 per annum. Holiday entitlement starts at 33 days per year, rising to 38 after 5 years

About this company

The employer is a family run business, They also grow over 1.5 million plants across our own growing nurseries. A successful candidate would have the exciting opportunity to shape how and what we grow across those nurseries and be responsible for maximising sales opportunities across all our retail brands.

After this apprenticeship

The apprentice will be able to move on to L6 buying and merchandising, once they have completed their L4.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: