Garment Buying Manager

Garment Buying Manager at Brand Addition

Brand Addition is a business that helps global brands build culture, awareness, and meaningful connections. We extend our client values in thoughtful, sustainable, globally conscious ways to create branded moments that people love. We will lead through sustainability to generate wellbeing for generations to come, what we do today can determine what kind of place that will be. We will continue to build amazing products while strengthening careers and client relationships. Here at Brand Addition, we work across oceans and continents to build a better, brighter future for our partners, our people, and our planet.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Garment Buying Manager to work on premium retail clothing collections for various well known brands. The ranges comprise of wovens and knitted items across men’s, women’s and children’s garments. All items need to reflect the high quality and precision of the brands for which they are developed.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing the product ranges, from sourcing to production.
• Collaborating with in-house design and sales teams on product concepts, ideas, and project management.
• Sourcing from and taking ownership of a reliable supplier base across Turkey and the Far East. You will likely be visiting the suppliers on an annual basis, negotiating prices, ensuring high-quality and on-time delivery, while exploring new supply routes to expand our product offering and maintain a competitive edge.
• Researching and evaluating fabrics, price points, lead times and consumption for development work on new core ranges which come out every 2 years with Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter release dates.
• Creating detailed product tech packs for the purchase orders for the suppliers, ensuring clarity and mutual commitment to project success.
• Co-ordinating with all departments to ensure timely delivery of projects.
• Overseeing quality control and technical compliance, ensuring products meet industry standards in terms of safety and performance.
• Fit checks on the prototype samples together with co-ordinating wash tests for durability and ensuring a premium quality is maintained.
• Creating and managing the Critical Path from start-up development through to the launch dates.
• Lead and develop an offshore buying team dedicated to sourcing bespoke apparel for brands which are managed across the Brand Addition sites.

What You’ll Need

• We’re seeking a Garment Buying Manager who has a wealth of retail experience and technical expertise in wovens and jersey items.
• Ideally, you’ll be of graduate calibre with a garment related degree.
• A can-do attitude with a willingness to take on diverse tasks and challenges.
• At least 15 years of garment buying experience is preferred.
• A strong interest in retail apparel, along with a passion for quality assurance and ethical sourcing from manufacturers in EU, Turkey, and the Far East.
• Commercial acumen, with the ability to see the bigger picture and make smart decisions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to build rapport at all levels.
• A true team player, demonstrating personality, empathy, and a drive to succeed, with exceptional organizational skills and a keen attention to detail.
• The ability to lead the offshore purchasing strategy for this key category, gaining an in-depth understanding of the different brands and requirements, attending client meetings, and working with internal teams to drive growth in this exciting area of the business.
• Experience in developing garment ranges across multiple categories and a proactive approach to suggesting new ideas and improvements that align with our sustainability goals.
• Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Confidence in leading regular client communication and openness to travel for client meetings in Europe.
• Ability to analyse SKU sales and to promote the ideal quantity for first time buy.
• Commercial awareness with a solid understanding of risk management.
• Technical expertise in garment constructions – how to make a garment aesthetically desirable whilst ensuring that the construction lends itself to long term durability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Experience in fabric & trim selections, price points, lead times.

Benefits

Our Culture: Brand Addition offers you the opportunity to work in a responsible and challenging role within a dynamic, international, and ambitious environment. We’re informal but hard working and great teamwork and collaboration are key to our success. We are proud to be part of the BA family; we champion diversity and inclusion and respect difference because it makes us stronger. Our teams operate across oceans and collaborate across continents, leveraging diverse perspectives to create amazing things together. It may be fast paced but it’s a fun and friendly place to work. We have a big footprint globally but remain personal and transparent. You can expect quality, sustainability, and value to be at the heart of everything that we do. You’ll have the support of a close network of colleagues and managers, and every day is different here!

Reward And Recognition: We offer Global Development Opportunities – Hybrid Working minimum 3 days a week in the London office – Flexible Working and a Subsidised Wellbeing Programme to name a few.

Position To Thrive: Brand Addition provides you with everything you need to excel in your job and for personal growth, to be the best version of you. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage flexible working through family-friendly working hours.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Purchasing and Supply Chain

Industries

• Advertising Services