Last updated on February 25th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Here at Shoe Zone, all of our team are like family. We wanted to share with you a little insight into our lovely team, give you more information about a day in the life at Shoe Zone!
Kicking off this month is the lovely, Alice Bass – Ladies Buying Administrator & Sports Assistant
How long have you been a member of the Shoe Zone team?
I started working at Shoe Zone in October 2013.
What is your job title, and what does this involve?
My job title is Ladies Buying Administrator & Sports Assistant. My Job role involves providing administrative support to the Assistant Buyer and Buyer. My job is to ensure all the admin on the department runs smoothly.
What’s a typical day like?
My duties could include; placing purchase orders, creating and maintaining the critical path or racking up samples and organising the sample room. Every day is different, on Mondays we put together a weekly meeting for the directors which involves store and online best sellers as well as the new lines coming in that week. I have to keep up to date with filing and maintaining details relating to stock, quality control issues and following up deliveries. I also chase suppliers on fit and production samples so that we achieve on time deliveries. I liaise daily with suppliers, factories in China and with other departments in the business. I could be updating spread sheets, responding to emails or dealing with incoming phone calls.
How did you get into this career?
I studied Fashion Retail Management at Birmingham City University and knew that I wanted to go into buying after experiencing first-hand what it was like to be part of a buying team after completing two work placements.
What has been your highlight of working at Shoe Zone so far?
My highlight has to be, being given more responsibility by becoming Sports Assistant as when I first started I was just on the Ladies shoes department. By supporting the Sports section, I have expanded my knowledge of shoes by also buying Men’s and Kids styles and sizes. It meant I got involved with new suppliers and had a new target market to think of.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do your job?
Understand what you want to do and why you want to do it. I think it’s important to get as much experience as you can, make valuable contacts and do lots of research on what the job entails and the product you will be working with.
And finally, what’s your favourite thing about working at Shoe Zone?
I like that I get to see and work behind the scenes of the upcoming season before anyone else. By working to the buying calendar I’m working on Christmas products in summer, you have to be one step ahead!
