Danielle
Video transcript
My name’s Danielle Jephson. I’m a buyer’s assistant on men’s shoes and travel goods, and I applied for the graduate scheme a year ago. I applied for the graduate scheme because I’d seen it advertised and it looked like an amazing scheme.
The basic principles that were outlined in the scheme are definitely the things that I have seen so far. I applied for John Lewis, as opposed to any other department store, just due to the fact of John Lewis, of what it stands for. I wanted to be part of that, and part of something that I can be proud of.
On a day to day basis, there is no set criteria, it changes every day. On a Monday we always come in early to get the figures - this means coming into work from about 8 o’clock in the morning so we can review the figures from the week before. We’ll then have team meetings and also directorate meetings; this is within womenswear, menswear, etc. You all come together to see how the other departments did.
Obviously we’ve got our online business now, so we need to ensure that all the products that we sell in store are also available online. You’re also talking to branches about any queries, and any new products coming in. Also we talk to the merchandisers. They’re responsible for ensuring that the stores get the stock they need, when they need it and at the correct time.
Because the buying is at the forefront of getting stock into the store, we have to be sure that we get everything correct. The buyer will see the supplier, choose the correct stock, and get it into store. That means that other buyers have to make sure that the price is correct, and that any information put onto the system is 100%.
Before I worked at John Lewis I remember visiting it as a child with my mum. I remember going in on Saturday, going around the clothes bits, always going to the haberdashery. And as an adult, I would go and always get my haberdashery bits from there. I’d go and visit the brands because I really like the fact that is an assortment of all the different brands in one department store.
I wish I could say that my job is all glamour, but I don’t need it to be and I don’t want to be. It’s amazing being able to see your product in store and seeing the end effect, but you’ve got to remember all the steps that went on before. You’ve just got to know that you need to muck in and get it done, and then you will be proud of the end result.
My proudest moment so far has been seeing product that I’ve chosen the colours for, actually on the shop floor. Even just standing around for a few minutes and waiting for someone to pick one up that was amazing.
My friends are actually jealous of the fact I work at John Lewis. The benefits are amazing, and also that I get a discount on the really amazing brands we have. The fact that we have electricals and homeware means that I can kit out my wardrobe and my house at a discount.
