Buying and Merchandising Apprentice (Fixed Term Contract)
AMAZON UK SERVICES LTD.
Worship Street (EC2A 2FA)
Closes on Monday 1 February 2027
Posted on 11 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you passionate about the world of retail and eager to kickstart your career in this dynamic industry? Join us as a Buying and Merchandising Apprentice and embark on an exciting journey where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our product offerings.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Buying and merchandising assistant (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, hours to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 September 2027
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
4
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
As a Buying and Merchandising Apprentice, you'll work at the heart of our operation - analysing data, identifying trends, and presenting your findings to senior leadership. You'll work cross-functionally, interacting with teams like marketing, finance, and IT, and gaining invaluable experience across many aspects of our business.
A day in the life can involve:
- Supporting the selection and development of new products, ensuring they align with our brand and customer needs.
- Accurately maintaining our product portfolio and supplier agreements.
- Collating and analysing sales and performance reports to identify trends and trading patterns.
- Communicating findings and proposing data-driven solutions to optimise our product offerings.
- Collaborating with the buying and merchandising teams to contribute to department and company sales and profit targets.
To thrive in this dynamic field, you must possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret data, identify insightful patterns, and leverage these insights to drive informed decision-making. Meticulous attention to detail is essential, as you will be responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records and producing robust sales forecasts. An innate commercial acumen and an interest in consumer behaviour and market trends are also critical, as this role requires aligning buying and merchandising strategies with evolving customer expectations. You should have a genuine interest in the retail industry and a proven track record of translating data into actionable recommendations. Adaptability and effective communication skills will also be paramount, as you collaborate with cross-functional teams and respond to changing market conditions.
In this comprehensive programme, you will delve into the intricacies of merchandising strategies, equipping yourself with the skills needed to expertly plan and optimise product assortments for retail success. A crucial aspect involves mastering sourcing and negotiation, where you'll learn to identify reliable suppliers, negotiate contracts, and secure optimal deals. The curriculum covers the nuances of inventory management, providing insights into effectively managing stock levels, tracking trends, and minimising losses. Additionally, the programme ensures you stay on top of retail trends, keeping you well-informed about the ever-changing retail landscape and evolving consumer preferences.
This course emphasises the importance of data analysis, honing your proficiency in utilising data to make informed buying and merchandising decisions. Lastly, the programme enhances your skills in visual merchandising, empowering you to create visually appealing content that not only captivates but also drives sales. Through this comprehensive approach, you will be well-prepared to navigate and succeed in the dynamic world of retail.
We value different perspectives and experiences, and we're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our employee-led affinity groups including communities for women in tech, LGBTQ+ employees, and underrepresented minorities, foster a culture on inclusion that empowers us to be proud of our differences. These groups provide community, mentorship, and a platform for your voice to be heard. We’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the customers and communities we serve.
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Your career isn't a straight path - it's a journey you build as you go. A universe of opportunity awaits, and your next adventure starts here.
Where you'll work
1 Principal Place
Worship Street
EC2A 2FA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
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
Training schedule
More training information
- You will gain a vast range of useful experiences and skills whilst working towards the Level 4 Apprenticeship standard in Buying and Merchandising.
- As a working student your focus is to complete your studies in your 20% off the job time by learning and developing your skills, knowledge and behaviours to work towards successful graduation.
- Please note: As part of your off-the-job learning, you may be required to travel to a training centre. This location may differ from your primary work base.
- Candidates should be prepared for occasional travel as part of the apprenticeship programme. You will be set objectives and goals by your training provider and manager to support your studies.
- You will build your skills over a 24-month period, starting in September. These skills will help you develop personally and professionally.
- Your apprenticeship will be made up of classroom/virtual based training to cover knowledge, on-the-job training at your Amazon base location, online learning as well as mentoring from our experienced team members.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements
This position will be based in a Corporate Office. We advise you to submit your application as soon as possible, as the roles will close once filled. We will be holding online assessments from November through to February, with assessment centres taking place between February and May.
About this employer
Amazon offers a range of opportunities to suit candidates with different backgrounds, qualifications and career aspirations. That is why we believe it is the perfect place to learn new skills. We believe that building a culture that is welcoming and inclusive is integral to people doing their best work and is essential to what we can achieve as a company. We take steps to ensure our colleagues have a sense of belonging, value, and opportunity.
https://amazonapprenticeships.co.uk/buying-and-merchandising (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Alongside extensive development of your technical skills, you will also grow your abilities in crucial complementary areas like organisation, prioritisation, data and problem-solving techniques, teamwork, communication, and presentation skills.
Once you have successfully completed you will be able to apply for relevant roles across the business.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SCL EDUCATION & TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000063758.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 1 February 2027
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.