Contract: Full-Time (35 hours), Permanent
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based)
About Us
For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.
Our Mission Statement: Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.
Our Product Formula: Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.
Equality and Inclusion: We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.
Role Summary:
Assisting the Buyer in all aspects of the buying function to maximise profit through effective end-to-end management of the critical path, commercial understanding of the market, negotiation, and BA management.
Role Responsibilities:
Critical Path:
1. Be aware of the Seasonal company critical path and the preparation and deadlines around each key sign off and seasonal development process.
2. Clear understanding of trigger dates and lead times for your category.
3. Manage weekly critical path for your department. Develop a strong relationship with category AM to update both buyer and merchandiser of any potential delays. Manage approvals and fits and resolve queries and problem-solving to ensure shipment dates are met and availability is maximised.
4. Regular calls with suppliers to develop strong relationships.
5. Responsible for all sustainable certification through management of the BA.
Sample and Approval Management:
1. Accountability for the management and preparation of samples and information for Product handover meetings, sign-offs, outfitting, partner appointments, and visual merchandising.
2. Responsible for overseeing sample management of product library/archive and preparation for fits.
3. Ensure VLPS are always up to date.
4. Responsible for organizing approvals and ensuring honesty and print folders are up to date.
Category Development:
1. Aware of the department product strategy – analysing supplier, competitor & product information as required.
2. Participate in the development process for each collection, contributing lessons learnt on product and suppliers.
3. Attend sign-offs and make clear notes for post sign-off development.
4. Support Buyer in negotiating cost price and ex. dates with suppliers.
5. Oversee the raising of purchase orders and amendments in a timely manner.
6. Have a strong understanding of the market and FF current performance.
7. Carry out regular comp shops on trend as well as retail map opportunities. Analyse and present back findings and make suggestions for retail prices, OTB, repeats, cancellations, and style changes.
People and Management:
1. Manage the training and development of the Buyers Admin. Monitor performance against their training programme, highlighting areas for improvement.
2. Work closely with other Abs to manage workload, BA development, and draw on skill sets.
3. Work cross-functionally within the business – developing strong relationships with design, merch, and tech as well as other functions.
4. Deputise for the Buyer where necessary.
5. Develop strong relationships with suppliers and internal departments.
Skills and Experience:
1. Degree or equivalent level of qualification.
2. Experience in Fashion-based subjects.
3. Strong negotiation skills to achieve targets.
4. Strong presentation skills to all levels.
5. Highly numerate, able to interpret data to determine decision-making, work to budget and KPIs.
6. Strong communication and influencing skills at all levels.
7. Team management and task delegation skills.
8. Good planning and organisational skills able to adapt in line with business needs.
9. Understand the buying process from design inspiration to delivery in store and implications on the critical path.
10. Commercial and market awareness.
11. Knowledge of the Supply chain & product life cycle.
12. Use of Board, D365 and Microsoft Office.
13. Organised and can work at pace.
Key Contacts and Relationships:
External: The product teams
Accountable for Resources: N/A
Benefits include: Perkbox, THRIVE learning management system, Dental Insurance, EAP support, Income Protection, Sick pay allowances, Eye Tests contributions, Sabbatical leave, Enhanced Family Friendly policies, and Refer a friend scheme.
Seniority Level:
Associate
Employment Type:
Full-time
Job Function:
Purchasing
Industries:
Retail and Retail Apparel and Fashion
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