Senior Buyer-Footwear & Accessories in London

Bloom Search is partnering with a fast-growing contemporary womenswear brand to appoint an experienced Senior Buyer across footwear and accessories. This is a key position within the product team, taking ownership of the buying strategy and developing commercially successful collections that reflect the brand’s distinctive aesthetic, customer and international growth plans.

The successful candidate will have extensive multi-product footwear and accessories experience, with strong technical knowledge of product construction, materials, fit, quality and production methods. They will be able to translate the brand’s creative vision into commercially relevant collections for UK and international markets. Working closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development and Production, you will combine strong product instincts with a highly commercial and data-led approach.

Key responsibilities:

• Own and deliver the buying strategy across footwear and accessories
• Build balanced, commercially successful ranges aligned with the brand’s aesthetic and customer
• Work across footwear, handbags, small leather goods, jewellery and additional accessories categories
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of product construction, materials, components, fit and quality
• Assess samples and work closely with Design, Technical and Product Development teams
• Adapt product and range strategies for UK and international markets
• Analyse sales, margins and trading performance across categories and territories
• Source new products, materials, suppliers and manufacturing opportunities internationally
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new suppliers
• Lead negotiations across costs, margins, MOQs, lead times and delivery terms
• Manage seasonal budgets and support effective OTB planning
• Maintain visibility of the critical path, ensuring collections are delivered on time and to the required quality
• Identify market trends and translate them into commercially relevant product opportunities
• Present range direction and performance insights to senior leadership
• Mentor and develop junior members of the buying team

The ideal candidate will have:

• Established Buyer or Senior Buyer experience within a contemporary fashion or lifestyle brand
• Extensive multi-product experience across footwear and accessories
• Strong technical knowledge of footwear and accessories construction, materials, fit, components and production methods
• The confidence to assess samples, challenge quality and construction, and work closely with technical teams and factories
• A clear understanding of brand aesthetics and the ability to protect and evolve a distinctive brand identity
• Proven experience developing products for UK and international customers
• Strong international sourcing experience and an established supplier and factory network
• Excellent negotiation skills across costs, margins, MOQs, lead times and delivery
• Strong commercial judgement and confidence analysing sales and performance data
• A detailed understanding of product costs, margins, sourcing, production and critical-path management
• A strong eye for product, colour, materials and emerging trends
• Excellent communication, leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the footwear and accessories strategy of a dynamic, growing contemporary brand.