Assistant Buying Manager – Licensed Hardlines (Drinkware, Gifting & Consumer Products)
Location: Watford, Hertfordshire (Office-based with hybrid working after probation)
Salary: £32,000–£34,000 DOE + genuine progression
Hours: Monday–Thursday 09:00–18:00 | Friday 09:00–16:30
Develop Licensed Products for Major Global Brands
We're looking for a commercially minded Assistant Buying Manager with experience in licensed consumer products. This role is centred on developing licensed drinkware, gifting, stationery, accessories and lifestyle products for major retailers, working closely with licensors, design teams and overseas manufacturers.
The ideal candidate will understand the unique demands of licensed products, including brand guidelines, licensor approvals, retailer expectations, critical paths and the pace required to launch products tied to some of the world's biggest entertainment, gaming and lifestyle brands.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and source innovative licensed hardline products, with a particular focus on drinkware.
- Manage product development from concept through licensor approvals, sampling and production.
- Liaise daily with customers, licensors, designers and Far East factories.
- Negotiate costs and protect product margins.
- Manage critical paths to ensure retailer launch dates are achieved.
- Coordinate packaging, artwork, compliance and quality requirements.
- Identify new product and category opportunities within licensed consumer products.
We're Looking For
- 2+ years' experience in buying, sourcing or product development within licensed consumer products.
- Experience developing hardline categories such as drinkware, gifting, stationery, accessories, homewares or similar.
- A solid understanding of the licensed product approval process and working with licensors.
- Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers, ideally China.
- Strong commercial awareness with excellent Excel and organisational skills.
- Confident communicator who enjoys taking ownership and solving problems.
Desirable
- Experience working with leading entertainment, gaming or character licences.
- Knowledge of UKCA, CE and broader product compliance requirements.
- Experience attending supplier meetings or factory visits in the Far East.
- Mandarin or another relevant language.
Why Join Us?
- Work on products for globally recognised licensed brands.
- Genuine ownership and influence over product development.
- Clear progression into a Buying Manager role.
- Collaborative, fast-moving environment.
- Early finish every Friday.
- Free parking.
- Hybrid working after successful probation.
Please Note
This role is specifically aimed at candidates who already have experience within the licensed consumer products industry. While experience in buying or procurement is valuable, applicants without exposure to licensed products and hardline consumer categories are unlikely to be suitable.
Pay: £32,000.00-£34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
