Buyer

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve revenue targets
• Monitor and analyze sales performance to identify opportunities for improvement
• Conduct frequent brand review meetings either on a monthly, quarterly or seasonal basis
• Builds and buys the most relevant range for the target customer
• Full ownership of weekly trade within own department, including replenishment, stock swaps, RTS, etc
• Completes and supports all facets of contract negotiations with new potential brands/ suppliers
• Demonstrates an understanding of new fashion and retail trends, and how these can affect the trading climate, regularly reads market research data and spots new business opportunities
• Conducts regular competitor analysis to assess ranges, identify opportunity and direction for brand exclusives, gain ideas for on-line layout and content, brand acquisition opportunities, sales impacting initiatives, etc
• Identifies promotional/ marketing opportunities for the business in order to motivate further sales and provides a competitive and exciting retail environment for the customer
• Conducts in-season and end of season SWOT analysis leading to strategy reviews which is able to succinctly be presented to senior management
• Manages brand performance including intake margin, trading margin, sell through, stock turn, delivery, etc
• Present weekly and monthly review to senior management interpreting performance using a detailed understanding of the WSSI and key levers of trade within department

Requirements: 

• A minimum of 3-5 years working in a retail environment with a focus on Fashion Apparel buying and merchandising. Strong Retail, E-commerce, Buying and Merchandising exposure
• Experience of the buying cycle and associated processes and experience in planning and management of seasonal timelines
• Highly analytical with a passion for excel and numeracy. Proven experience of data, reporting and analysis
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with brands and internal departments
• Attention to detail and high commitment to accuracy
• Pro-active, driven and determined to achieve results in a fast paced working environment.
• Critical well-rounded thinking of full picture, pros and cons; strong problem solving skill