My career as a Buyer

Before I joined the world of recruitment and Cast UK, I spent 6 years working in Buying in London. Rewind 7 years and it is safe to say I had absolutely no idea what a Buyer even was. At the age of 21 I studied at York University completing a degree in Educational Studies and had plans to become a primary school teacher. One year into my studies and I soon realised that this was not the career for me. I felt that something was missing and it turned out that that something was retail. Having no idea what my next step was I gained some retail experience at Principles. It was then that my fascination with 'behind the scenes' in retail really developed and I wanted to learn more. It was actually one of my parents’ friends - a lecturer at the London College of Fashion who suggested that I look into Buying as my next step. After much research I enrolled in a short course at the London College of Fashion in Buying and Merchandising and since then I have never looked back. Whilst at University I worked in the Warehouse flagship store on Argyll Street and persuaded them to let me do some work experience at their Head Office. The retail and fashion bug had really got me by then! After completing my course, I then moved back to the North and completed some more (unpaid) work experience at Mamas & Papas. It was then back to London where I went after securing my first Buyers Admin Assistant position at River Island. I loved it there; the fast pace...the buzz...the fashionable people. Over the next 6 years I worked in Buying positions for Internationale, Burberry, Aquascutum, Hobbs and Designer at Debenhams in jewellery. It was my last position that brought me back to Manchester after I decided that I missed the North. Whilst back in the North I knew I needed a change but I did not want to turn my back completely on Buying and Merchandising. It was by sheer luck whilst coming in for a candidate consultation with Cast UK that I found out that they were looking for a Consultant for Fashion Retail in London and the South. Seems like it had my name written all over it. I love my new career and I now have the best of both worlds. I get to place people into their dream Buying or Merchandising positions whilst spending my day talking to such interesting and inspirational candidates and clients. Buying is all about the right product at the right place and the right time, and I aim to get the right person in the right place at the right time now instead.