Group Buyer
My client is a leading and prestigious parent company that hosts a collection of independent department stores. Based in Coleraine, they are currently seeking an experienced Group Buyer to join their team.
This is a Full-Time, Permanent Position.
With a salary of £45,000 per annum.
Job Role:
You will be responsible for maximising sales and gross profit opportunities through effective commercial range planning and buying across store locations.
Essential Criteria:
* Previous experience within a similar role.
* IT proficient.
* Strong numerical and analytical skills.
* Ability to build a commercial range.
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal – with the ability to communicate with
* Ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.
* Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload while working in a fast-paced environment.
* Able to travel throughout the UK and Europe.
* Full, clean driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable Criteria:
* Previous experience of using online stock management system.
* Previous experience of buying for a fashion category.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
* Carry out range planning and buying as required for each store with regular review of product performance based on the sales history, sell through, stock levels, stock turn and margin achieved.
* Source new brands/product lines appropriate for each stores customer profile to ensure our stores are exciting and desirable locations to shop.
* negotiate intake margins, settlement discounts, exclusivity clauses, marketing support and other incomes with Suppliers enabling improved profit margins to be achieved.
* Effectively manage the OTB against the seasonal budget and intake targets whilst maintaining control of options bought for allocated space.
* Effectively use the Futura EPOS/stock management system to manage sales, sell through, margin, stock levels and stock turn in order to maximise sales and minimise markdowns.
* Manage the life of stock purchased from purchase order creation to delivery and through the selling cycle, reacting to fast sellers and minimising damage on slow lines.
* To plan promotional and eventing activity in conjunction with Marketing and in store teams for the buying category to achieve sales and gross profit targets.
* To regularly provide product and marketing information to marketing team for e mail and social channels content creation and key product focus.
* Liaise regularly with store Sales Managers to understand and react to sales performance. On site visits are important.
* Ensure store Sales Managers have necessary information on ranging, trends, product specifications, merchandising and display guidelines alongside pricing and promotional plans.
* Ensure familiarity and knowledge of high street and online market trends, emerging brands, and sources of supply by attending trade fairs, showrooms, researching online and visiting competitor stores.
* To understand and keep up to date with on line pricing as relevant by category in conjunction with supplier guidelines to ensure we are in line with the market.
* To undertake regular performance appraisals, coach and monitor the development of the Buyer’s Assistant where appropriate.
* Undertake any training/development identified to enhance effectiveness.
* Ensure that all staff abide by the guidelines laid down in the Health and Safety at Work Act, plus any subsequent relevant Law.