Laura Li

An ambitious assistant buyer with over 9 years' experience in buying. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills developed in customer facing and relationship building roles. Experienced in building commercial and trend led ranges in line with margins. Highly creative individual with a passion for product. Always looking to improve and learn new skill sets.

ASSISTANT BUYER - PURCHASING - ARTISAN BISCUITS - DERBYSHIRE

(2025-01)

Ensuring the bakery can operate efficiently by securing ingredients, packaging and consumables in good time, within budget and are compliant with business standards.

• Resourcing and negotiating cost prices for critical business purchases delivering savings where possible, reviewing current supplier performance and vetting new suppliers to ensure little disruption and best value for money.
• Sourcing ingredients for NPD team for own and private label projects that meet company ethos.
• Working closely with Planning, Technical and Production to prioritise actions to achieve business goals
• Ensuring inventory is in good health, raising any potential issues to relevant teams at earliest opportunity.
• Following and practicing company HACCP/TACCP polices to protect business from potential threats and vulnerabilities

JUNIOR BUYER - COVERINGS - TOPPS TILES - LEICESTER

(2022-01 - 2025-01)

Responsible for delivering NPD projects in coverings category contributing to overall business strategy.

• Supporting the Senior Buyers with implementing new products
• Working closely with suppliers to develop new products and ensure quality meets business expectations
• Reviewing sales performance and proposing actions to improve activity
• Working cross functionally to deliver new launches on time with the Merchandising, Marketing and Operations teams.
• Securing supplier funding for new launches and partnership support.
• Conducting competitor shops, presenting findings and opportunities.

PRODUCT MANAGER - FRAMES - VISION EXPRESS - NOTTINGHAM

(2017-01 - 2022-01)

From 2017-18 I was responsible for our private label optical frames and accessories category. This involved range management of 13 brands. From 2018 onwards, I was promoted and in charge of overseeing designer and luxury brands in optical frames managing 23 brands. My roles and responsibilities include (but not limited to):

• Range analysis - reviewing my brands and taking appropriate actions to ensure optimisation of assortment generating YOY growth for the category.
• Conducting all selections for my brands and attending all markets as per business needs.
• Maintain strong awareness of market trends and competitor activity in order to ensure uniqueness and newness on approach to buying.
• Working closely with the other Assistant Buyers to ensure there is point of difference and/or clear up-sell between brands across the full assortment.
• Working collaboratively with the Demand Planning team to plan and forecast sales.
• Project work – Tasked to revamp flagship store assortment which increased store sales by 14% and increased store revenue by £190k YOY.
• Shop-in-Shop management, working independently and cross functionally to execute tasks on time to ensure project goes live on time seamlessly.
• Working cross functionally with PR and Marketing to plan social media, online and in store activity.

PRODUCT ASSISTANT - VISION EXPRESS - NOTTINGHAM

(2016-02 - 2017-01)

• Supporting the team with buying days preparation with range analysis
• Trends and brands research
• Conducting online comp shop reports
• Setting up new lines in timely manner
• General clerical support to the Buying team

PRODUCTION INTERN - EMILIO DE LA MORENA - LONDON

(2014-01 - 2014-12)

• Assisted the head pattern cutter on the production floor with pattern cutting, altering patterns and drafting new patterns
• Prepared and organised fabrics, trims and spec packs ready for factories
• Assisted the creative director during design meetings and fittings
• Graphic design tasks
• Lookbook research
• Sourcing trims

STUDIO INTERN - BATSON - LONDON

(2013-01 - 2013-12)

• Working directly with the designer and owner of Batson (womenswear label)
• Primary responsibilities included pattern cutting and sewing

NCFE LEVEL 3 CERT - USER EXPERIENCE/USER INTERFACE - INSPIRE COLLEGE (2024-01 - 2024-12)

BA - FASHION & TEXTILES DESIGN - UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND (2010-09 - 2014-06)

ART FOUNDATION - SOUTH NOTTS COLLEGE (2010-09 - 2011-06)

A LEVELS - WEST BRIDGFORD SIXTH FORM (2008-09 - 2010-06)

GCSES - WEST BRIDGFORD SCHOOL (2003-09 - 2008-06)