At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a talented team while shaping stylish womenswear collections.
- Company: Boden, a brand that values collaboration, creativity, and fun.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous clothing allowance, 30% discount, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make a real impact on fashion that inspires.
- Qualifications: Proven buying experience, strong commercial acumen, and team leadership skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. Without the collaboration, honesty and friendship between our teams, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We curate a world of beauty that’s ethical, inclusive – and importantly – good fun. We inspire you to live your best life. We are Boden.
Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded Buyer to play a key role within one of our Womenswear departments on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
Reporting into the Buying Manager, you’ll help lead and develop a talented team, build strong supplier relationships, and help shape ranges that reflect the Boden brand and meet our quality standards.
This role is about balancing creativity with commercial awareness, delivering margin, driving sales, and ensuring our product offering delights our customer, Kate, season after season.
Location: 4–5 days per week at our North Acton office.
What You Will Do
- Champion a deep understanding of the Boden customer across all markets, ensuring your team is equally customer-obsessed.
- Use competitor analysis, customer insights and market research to shape product decisions.
- Anticipate social, cultural and economic trends and translate them into commercial opportunities.
- Deliver product that reflects Boden’s handwriting and brand strategy.
- Develop robust seasonal frameworks in collaboration with the wider product team.
- Balance attributes within ranges using data, history, and innovation to spot opportunities.
- Ensure cross-department collaboration so Kate can shop outfits, not just categories.
- Deliver a balanced price architecture, benchmarking competitors to meet both value and margin targets.
- Partner with Garment Tech and Fabric teams to ensure fit, quality, and value at the right price.
- Review trading performance regularly, acting proactively to optimise opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Manage short- and long-term commitments (orders, fabric planning, lead times) for maximum flexibility.
- Set and manage FOB and trigger dates, ensuring on-time delivery.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, identifying new opportunities and protecting margin.
- Support the development and execution of supplier strategies that deliver flexibility, quality, and design.
- Lead, motivate and coach your team through regular one-to-ones, reviews and clear objective setting.
- Delegate effectively, keeping the team focused on priorities and outcomes.
- Act as an ambassador for Boden, modelling our values and behaviours.
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience as a Buyer with a strong commercial track record.
- Excellent product and customer knowledge, with the ability to balance creativity and strategy.
- Experience managing and developing team members.
- A keen eye for detail, creativity, and a passion for product.
- Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- The ability to influence and build relationships internally and externally.
- A proactive problem-solver who enjoys a challenge and thinks strategically.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary & targeted annual bonus scheme.
- Generous Boden clothing allowance!
- 30% discount on all current clothing ranges.
- 25 days Holiday annually, plus Bank Holidays.
- Online Portal with an array of discounts on retail & entertainment.
- Virtual GP Service for you and your household!
- Free onsite parking and subsidised café.
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. If you need any reasonable adjustments or additional support during your application process, please let us know.
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Womenswear Buyer (12-month FTC) employer: Boden
Contact Detail:
Boden Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Womenswear Buyer (12-month FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Boden inside out! Familiarise yourself with our values, products, and customer base. This will help you connect with the team during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in what we do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at Boden. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions and scenarios related to buying and team management. Think about how you can showcase your creativity and commercial awareness – we love candidates who can balance both!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Boden family!
We think you need these skills to ace Womenswear Buyer (12-month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion: When you're writing your application, let your love for womenswear shine through! Share specific examples of how you've engaged with fashion trends and customer preferences. We want to see that you’re not just a buyer, but someone who truly understands and appreciates the world of style.
Be Data-Driven: Don’t forget to highlight your analytical skills! Use numbers and data to back up your achievements in previous roles. Show us how you've used market research and competitor analysis to make informed buying decisions. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness, which is key for us at Boden.
Team Spirit is Key: We value collaboration, so make sure to mention your experience in leading and developing teams. Talk about how you’ve motivated your team and fostered strong relationships with suppliers. We want to know how you can contribute to our friendly and supportive culture!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your application for Boden. Reflect our values in your writing and connect your experiences to what we’re looking for in a Womenswear Buyer. Remember, applying through our website is the best way to ensure your application gets noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Boden
✨Know Your Customer
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding Boden's customer, Kate. Familiarise yourself with her preferences, shopping habits, and what she values in fashion. This will help you demonstrate your customer-obsessed mindset during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss how you've successfully balanced creativity with commercial awareness in your previous roles. Bring examples of how you've used market research and competitor analysis to shape product decisions that drove sales and delighted customers.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
Think about your experience in managing and developing teams. Be ready to share specific instances where you've motivated your team, set clear objectives, and delegated effectively to achieve results. This will show that you can lead and inspire others at Boden.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Trends
Stay updated on current social, cultural, and economic trends in the fashion industry. Prepare to discuss how you've anticipated these trends in the past and translated them into successful product opportunities. This will highlight your strategic thinking and creativity.