At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop product ranges, collaborate with design, and drive sales through trend analysis.
- Company: TOPSHOP and TOPMAN are iconic British fashion brands with a rich 60-year heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy employee discounts, personal development, flexible benefits, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Join a creative team focused on innovation and sustainability in the fashion industry.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Buyer in retail, strong negotiation skills, and a keen eye for trends required.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead a team and participate in cross-functional projects.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
TOPSHOP and TOPMAN are iconic British fashion brands with 60 years of heritage. Headquartered in London, the brands have over 2 million customers worldwide through the ASOS platform and generate approximately £200m in sales. Our mission is to unlock the best of fashion for everyone, with creativity and innovation at our core.
Following the formation of a joint venture between ASOS and HEARTLAND in October 2024, ASOS is creating a standalone cross-functional team dedicated to unlocking the growth potential of TOPSHOP and TOPMAN. The brands will benefit from ASOS's infrastructure and resources while maintaining the creative freedom and agility of standalone brands. Over the next 12 months, TOPSHOP and TOPMAN will expand their offline and online retail presence with the launch of Topshop.com and new wholesale partnerships.
What you’ll be doing…
- Develop a cohesive product range that aligns with the brand strategy, ensuring comprehensive and non-duplicative offerings, and logical seasonal planning.
- Collaborate with Design to shape the product direction, ensuring alignment with brand and divisional strategies.
- Achieve department KPIs related to margin and profit, identifying and mitigating risks in partnership with Merchandising.
- Anticipate the needs of the 20-something customer base, utilising sales and trend data to deliver commercially successful product ranges considering global factors.
- Identify gaps and opportunities in ranges to optimise department performance while managing risks effectively.
- Utilise planning and trading documents for category analysis and buy evolution.
- Drive cost-saving initiatives to improve cost efficiency.
- Build effective ranges, considering Options, ALB strategy, and global requirements, with flexibility for seasonal adjustments.
- Work closely with Merchandising to ensure buying stays within OTB and influences trends and performance.
- Build relationships with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Stay updated on global trends and competitor activity, reviewing product strategies accordingly.
- Embed principles of Fashion with Integrity and sustainability, seeking opportunities for sustainable materials.
- Coordinate with Marketing on promotional activities and brand messaging.
- Establish a trial calendar, engaging stakeholders to develop program frameworks.
- Collaborate with Sourcing to develop a robust supply base, highlighting potential pinch points.
- Participate in cross-functional projects, embracing change.
- Lead and develop a team of ABs and BAs, focusing on talent growth.
- Provide clear direction, identify training needs, and foster collaboration.
- Motivate the team through recognition and feedback.
We’d love to meet someone who…
- Is interested in permanent and fixed-term roles.
- Has significant experience as a Junior Buyer or Buyer in a fast-paced global retail environment.
- Can drive departmental success through creative and commercial thinking.
- Has a keen eye for current trends, market conditions, and competitor activity.
- Possesses strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Can secure buy-in from teams and management to maximise opportunities.
- Has a commercial mindset, leveraging data and insights effectively.
- Is knowledgeable about planning and trading documents, capable of challenging figures when necessary.
- Uses market insights to inform decision-making for optimal outcomes.
- Has awareness of global trends, competitors’ product offerings, pricing, and trading activities.
- Builds strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers.
- Demonstrates inclusive leadership, providing clear direction and development opportunities.
- Possesses strong prioritisation and systems skills, including familiarity with trading systems and MS Office.
Benefits & Additional Information
- Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
- Personal development opportunities through ASOS Develops
- Employee sample sales
- Access to LinkedIn Learning resources
- 25 days paid annual leave plus a celebration day
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Private medical care
- Flexible benefits allowance, which can be taken as cash or used for other benefits
Why take our word for it? Search #InsideASOS on our socials to see what life at ASOS is like.
TOPSHOP/TOPMAN - Buyer employer: ASOS.com
Contact Detail:
ASOS.com Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land TOPSHOP/TOPMAN - Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in fashion and retail, especially those that resonate with the 20-something demographic. This will not only help you understand the brand's target audience but also allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to developing a cohesive product range.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fashion industry, particularly those who have experience in buying roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on ASOS's recent initiatives and the joint venture with HEARTLAND. Understanding their strategic goals will enable you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing how your skills align with their vision for TOPSHOP and TOPMAN.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully driven departmental success in previous roles. Highlight your creative and commercial thinking, as well as your ability to leverage data and insights to inform decision-making, which are crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace TOPSHOP/TOPMAN - Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Brand: Familiarise yourself with TOPSHOP and TOPMAN's brand identity, values, and target audience. This will help you tailor your application to demonstrate how your experience aligns with their mission of creativity and innovation.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your previous roles as a Junior Buyer or Buyer in fast-paced retail environments. Use specific examples to showcase your ability to drive departmental success through creative and commercial thinking.
Showcase Your Skills: Detail your strong negotiation and influencing skills, as well as your ability to analyse market trends and competitor activity. Mention any experience with planning and trading documents to highlight your commercial mindset.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Craft a CV and cover letter that specifically address the qualifications listed in the job description. Use keywords from the job posting to ensure your application stands out and demonstrates your fit for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASOS.com
✨Know Your Trends
As a Buyer, it's crucial to have a keen eye for current trends and market conditions. Research the latest fashion trends and be prepared to discuss how they could influence your buying decisions at TOPSHOP/TOPMAN.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with the brand's heritage and mission. Be ready to explain how you can align product ranges with the brand strategy and contribute to its growth in the competitive fashion landscape.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Highlight your ability to leverage data and insights effectively. Be prepared to discuss how you've used sales and trend data in previous roles to make informed buying decisions and optimise product ranges.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
Since the role involves leading a team, be ready to share examples of how you've motivated and developed team members in the past. Discuss your approach to inclusive leadership and fostering collaboration.