Assistant Buyer Review

I am an Assistant Buyer working in the Toys category. Daily tasks include interpreting sales data, meeting with suppliers to discuss range performances and looking at opportunities to source new products. I interact daily with my merchandiser, my immediate manager and my senior manager. I am currently working on an own label project for SS18. I am responsible for the performance of my range and my relationships with suppliers.

I have learnt a number of skills, most recently negotiation. This is crucial to my job performance. I have also enhanced my presenting skills.

I enjoy my work and also the team that I work with. I don't feel that the programme plays a big part in my daily / weekly work life.

I feel that my work is appreciated by my manager. I am often given projects to work on that can further my development. My manager makes me feel valued at Tesco.

My intake don't tend to have much interaction with the programme anymore, which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing as we are all established within our roles now. However the meetings that we have with senior mentors are very beneficial.

I don't have a training provider.

I receive a great amount of support from my Senior manager. He is always encouraging me to learn and is giving me the opportunities to learn my role. He has been a great role model for me in my career.

I have recently moved out from my parents house in Kent as the money I was spending on travel was extortionate. I am now living in London so rent and travel is still very expensive. I don't feel that my salary meets my costs. A number of people from my intake have now left the business as other companies have offered them a more competitive offer. I think the pay structure needs to be reviewed for school leavers. There has been scenarios where temporary workers straight out of school have joined via an agency at the same level as a school leaver on a greater salary.

The Birmingham event was good again this year and was a great opportunity for all of Tesco to come together.

Yes

I have worked for Tesco since I was 16, firstly in stores before making the switch to the office. All of the colleagues that I have worked with have been extremely collaborative and all want to achieve a common goal.

Take a lot of notes and there is no such thing as a stupid question.