Buying Intern Review

Phase eight is a lovely company to work with, it is a small team of people therefore you are given a lot of responsibility for either one or two departments. Everyone was really welcoming and allow you to get fully involved in all areas of the job.

As the buying department is small typically it is you and one or two other buyers on that department therefore your input and the work you produce is extremely important and valuable to the business.

You are thrown into the deep end when you first start! You will be given a handover period of a week where you get taught the day to day runnings of the department and then you take over. Phase eight is great for nurturing your skills and everyone is extremely friendly hen asking for advice/support.

As Phase Eight has a small head office but the company is growing and expanding at a fast pace, it is a dynamic and busy place but not too hectic that you will ever feel overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.

Alot of responsibility was given to me as you are performing the same tasks as the BAA's on the two other departments. Daily responsibility where maintaining the critical path, chasing suppliers for samples, raising and negotiating orders, attending fit sessions and approvals fabrics and shapes for the upcoming seasons, liaising with press and web for photoshoots

The skills i learnt are those that will be invalubale to me for future jobs in buying. This was part of my sandwich degrree- styding fashion & Textile management. There is no official training when you arrive at Phase Eight , this i think is the best way to learn to get thrown in a see what happens day to day any you soon get into a routine. The life skills learnt were time management and prioritizing, communication, organisation, working within a team and as a individual.

Everyone is extremely friendly and as it is a small office everyone knows who you are and have constant interaction with other departments and directors.

This placement was available on the Phase Eight website however I heard about it though my placement office at university and applied, the interview process was extremely organised as was the initiation of the placement.

I have been taught of all the skills needed o fulfill my job as well as having training days for software updates and time management.

I would love to come back tot Phase Eight, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here! As this is a small business it would be dependent on having a job opening when I have finished university.

Everyone here is really lovely and there are occasional nights out within the buying and merchandising team, getting the whole office out is a challenge but it is known to have happened! We do however have lots of cake whenever its someones birthday- which always livens up the office.

I commute into work so live at home, however it is quite an expensive area to live in, however it has great links with transport with a bus stop 2 minutes away and is in walking distance to a train and tube station.

As I don't live in the area I have limited knowledge but there are lots of pubs and bars all within a 15 minute walk from the office.

There are no work related activities outside of work, but this is a social company so social outings do occur.