Cotton Traders is a British clothing retailer established in 1987 by England rugby captain and legends Fran Cotton and Steve Smith. Supported by a growing online and offline (catalogue) presence, we have 80 stores nationwide in England, Scotland and Wales and employee 800 people across the country. We have an ambitious plan to grow the business across all touch points and we can only do this with the best people around us.
Our vision and our values are what make us unique, and they are deeply ingrained in everything we do here at Cotton Traders. Our people are part of the fabric that makes us what we are, and when you’re as passionate about your people as we are, job satisfaction and career progression come hand in hand.
What’s in the role and what are we looking for?
We are recruiting for a Menswear Buyer to take sole responsibility for the product design and development of our licensed brands and rugby collections. You will have bundles of passion and energy to successfully drive our ranges forward and ensure this meets both the customer’s needs and is profitable for the business.
Some of the key responsibilities include:
- Work to source the best products and the best prices using confident negotiations in order to achieve and exceed the set margin targets.
- Develop supplier relationships through effective sourcing as well as liaison with our external license holders.
- Take part in regular review meetings to ensure the critical path is followed through.
- Complete regular competitor visits in order to ensure you stay ahead of what key competitors are doing.
- Actively train and develop more junior members within team.
- Engage with creative & e-commerce teams building productive relationships to drive product sales.
- Provide seasonal direction based on knowledge and trends.
- Working collaboratively with teams across the business to maximise sales across all channels.
The Successful Candidate will:
- Have at least 2 years’ experience at Buyer level but we welcome experienced applicants looking for their next step
- Have a good knowledge of fabrics and garment costing
- Have an excellent eye for product with the ability to react to future trends
- Exceptional attention to detail ensuring accuracy in all tasks
- Good analytical skills, utilise sales information to improve overall sales
- Be confident with strong presentation skills
- Proactive in decision making and problem solving, with the ability to work under pressure at all times.
- Natural ability to identify future fashion trends and a real passion for product.
- Be confident when working with suppliers to negotiate the best prices.
- Have an in-depth knowledge of the current market.
What’s on offer?
We are protective and proud in equal measure of our culture and suggest you take a look at our values on our web-site to gain a better understanding of life at CT. Once part of the team, you’ll be rewarded with, amongst other things:-
- Flexible working culture, adopting a hybrid working approach
- 25 days holiday rising to 30 days, plus bank holidays
- Employee Assistant Programme
- Health cash plan
- Long service awards
Next steps
If you are interested in the excellent opportunity on offer, we would love to hear more from you! Please click apply and send through your CV and a covering letter.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Menswear Brands in Altrincham
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Cotton Traders Limited, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Cotton Traders Limited!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Cotton Traders Limited, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Cotton Traders Limited and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Cotton Traders Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cotton Traders Limited
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
