BUYER
We are looking for a highly experienced, commercially-minded Buyer to join our small but mighty Buying team for 9-12 months to manage the Buying process for Hush; optimising costs, quality, cash, and service. Reporting to the Senior Buyer you will be responsible for delivering a range of product for the Knitwear, Sunshop and Nightwear categories through leveraging your analytical, organisation and collaboration skills effectively.
RESPONSIBILITIES
* Deliver a range of product for the relevant categories which encompasses creativity, style and commerciality in collaboration with Design, Technical and Merchandising partners.
* Assess sales performance, trends, competitors, best & worst sellers to formulate lessons learnt that supports delivering highly commercial product.
* Evaluate, propose and implement any actions that need to be taken on trading the current business for the category and influence the development of future product and forthcoming collections.
* Maintain a high degree of commercial and market awareness through monitoring market activity and competitor product to influence decisions on product collections.
* Maintain a strong understanding of relevant trends and review the seasonal catwalks, utilising this knowledge to ensure delivery of commercial product.
* Partner closely with Design and Technical teams to ensure high degree of quality in all product.
* Drive the progress of the development of the range from concept to delivery. Own each stage of development and production to ensure key critical path dates are met.
* Own relevant supplier relationships including sourcing and managing appropriate suppliers and managing a balanced allocation of product.
* Work collaboratively with the Merchandising team to monitor and control trade in order to ensure stock turn, margin targets and profit levels are achieved
* Challenge and negotiate with suppliers to secure prices to achieve margin without a detrimental effect to the product and ensuring the design vision is kept.
* Align to and support the delivery of sustainability targets.
* Help to manage and mentor the Buying Admin Assistants’ workload, priorities and development, identifying areas of ‘stretch’ and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of their work.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
* Experience of Buying and Product Development in a fast-paced womenswear fashion retailer
* Excellent understanding of the womenswear clothing market, trends and commercial product drivers
* Highly commercial with the ability to identify opportunities to drive sales and margin
* Excellent negotiation skills
* Strong communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills; able to effectively collaborate
* High degree of organisation with particular attention to detail and accuracy
* Strong analytical skills to drive trading decisions
* Proficiency in Microsoft Applications and experience of working with product development systems