Anna Walker

Buyers Admin Assistant supporting the departmental running of the denim team. Managing purchase orders, commitment and supplier critical paths to highlight and resolve any issues that may arise and to ensure the order process runs smoothly. Preparing for weekly order signing meetings, including sample and order preparation. Managing ecommerce, ensuring samples are pre-shot to be online before being allocated and reviewing key styling guidelines in line with New Look's target market and competitors. Collaborating weekly shop reports and reviewing key trends for the department. Assisting with styling comments and fit sessions to drive the sample process taking into account critical dates.

Worked as an assistant merchandiser for the wovens team. Primarily on denim and jackets for the New Look team; my roles included keeping the critical path up to date, raising and amending purchase orders, attending customer meetings with New Look and making sure styles are on time through communication with the Far East offices. My role developed to include negotiating prices and chasing development samples from factories to ensure orders were placed and targets were met.

From my time at Ted Baker, I developed my customer service skills and commercial awareness, learning how a face- paced retail business operates. My main roles included assisting customers and using my knowledge to advice on styles and outfit building. One of my responsibilities was to assist customers in the fitting rooms which built my confidence in communication and styling. The Christmas period gave me an insight into retail during the busiest time of the year, during this time it was crucial I gave the best service, standardised clothing and accessories and worked as a team with my colleagues to communicate on stock levels and covering all areas of the shop floor.

Modules I have undertaken so far include: Management, Marketing, Product Analysis Integrated Design and Supply Chain Management, allowing me to develop my knowledge of the commercial textile industry. The assessments required team work and meeting deadlines which meant I learnt to balance my time between revision, lectures, reading and team meetings. I have received a first class grade in my first year and am aiming to graduate with a first.