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- Tasks: As a Buyer, you'll manage the Sportswear & Activewear collections from design to delivery.
- Company: Crew Clothing Company embodies timeless British style, inspired by the spirit of the south coast.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, uniform allowance, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a supportive culture that values creativity and collaboration while making an impact in fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience in Sportswear buying and strong negotiation skills are essential for this role.
- Other info: This is a full-time position based in Kingston, perfect for those passionate about fashion.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ per year.
Buyer – Sportswear
Full Time
Kingston
At Crew Clothing, we believe clothes are about so much more than “just clothes”. Designed with the spirit of the south coast in every stitch, our crossed oars are a mark of timeless British style. These are clothes for life’s best moments. We believe in collaboration, kindness and creativity, celebrating our successes and championing our customer at every step of the way. From ’93 to now, people have been at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our name – Crew.
Purpose Of The Role
As a buyer you will have responsibility for the buying and production of the Sportswear & Activewear department, working in partnership with Design, Merchandising and Technical. This role manages the process to ensure that the collections, once designed, are appropriately developed, costed, and commercially assorted to deliver the best collection to Stores, E-commerce and Wholesale partners in a timely manner.
Reports Into
Head of
Responsibilities
- 95% on time delivery through all channels.
- Direct management of Sport buying, while reporting into Head of Buying.
- Delivery of profitability of the assortment, adhering to intake margin targets set by Head of Buying.
- Ability and confidence to work directly with HOB and Designer on new season development.
- Maintaining and improving the product to ensure that it reaches the brand essence of Crew Clothing.
- Delivery of balanced assortment to different grading of stores/marketplaces/E com and wholesale partners.
- Delivery of Range sign offs to Heads of and Directors.
Product
- Work closely with design team to ensure product is signed off and agreed.
- Work in partnership with merchandising in developing correct range mix & price architecture, given history, competitor analysis & new sales insight.
- Monitor and support Design’s product development through to Final Design sign off and SMS review.
- Work with Head of Buying to set the Supplier Strategy, evaluate key suppliers, strengths and weaknesses and evolve / rationalise accordingly within business parameters.
- In collaboration with Head of Buying, identify key suppliers for both volume and quick response business to increase margin, and ensure OTB demands / repeats can be delivered on time in season, when necessary.
- Manage and negotiate prices with all suppliers on set areas, ensuring seasonal strategy is met. Prepare documents for sign off with head of Buying and Business owner.
- Proactively problem solve any margin issues with key partners.
- Work with the technical team to ensure that all products developed and produced meet the brand essence and ensure with the support of the technical team that core fits are maintained.
- Understand the Crew customer and their aspirations, monthly visiting of stores with cross functional partners and ensure competitor knowledge is always up to date.
- Manage the VRP throughout the process, ensuring accurate and up to date information.
- Ensuring any required changes to product are presented to Directors with clear information of issues and actions proposed.
- Ensure signed off samples are lodged and stored clearly in the product library for reference, and available for relevant meeting.
- Approve print and product lab dips with Design, in line with the Crew brand essence.
- Approve bulk fabric and trim submissions, in line with business CP.
Product Critical Path Management
- Ensure suppliers are aware of the timeline at the start of the season.
- Manage team updates on Product critical path – ensuring POs are correct on the system and reflect latest intake.
- Trade the dept – understand trade, so you can react in season and cut/infill where you’ve had success and failure.
- Ensure that all marketing & Ecommerce collateral is correct and up to date in accordance to business CP.
- Ensure 100% on time delivery of accurate salesman, product & shoot samples.
- Support team in weekly critical path reviews and offer guidance to junior members if the team.
People Management
- Lead by example and communicate with clarity and consistency.
- Ensure team is fully functioning and that cross functional relationships are maintained.
- Train and develop individual team members to improve their individual capabilities and deliver functional expertise.
Key Skills And Experience
- Experience in Sportswear and Activewear Buying with clear track record of delivering margin improvement.
- Extensive experience of initiating and developing direct sourcing relationships in product.
- Knowledge if supplier negotiation and have a proven track record of travelling alone to various sources across the globe.
- Technical expertise in garment fabrication, construction and production.
- Market knowledge of clothing including competitor price architecture.
- Strong commercial judgement.
- Self-motivated individual, capable of driving change at pace.
- Good understanding of supply base and respectful way of working.
- Passion for product.
What We Can Offer You
- Staff Discount
- Uniform allowance
- Pension scheme
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Training and career development
- Supportive and rewarding culture
Applicants must have a wealth of Sportswear and Activewear experience.
Skills: Time Keeping, Buying, management
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Buyer employer: Crew Clothing Company
Contact Detail:
Crew Clothing Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Crew Clothing's brand essence and product lines. Understanding their style and customer base will help you demonstrate your alignment with their values during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the sportswear and activewear industry. Attend relevant trade shows or events to connect with professionals who might provide insights or referrals for the Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in margin improvement and supplier negotiation. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed these aspects in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in sportswear and activewear. Being knowledgeable about competitors and market dynamics will show your passion and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sportswear and activewear buying. Use specific examples of how you've improved margins or developed successful product lines to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the brand and its values. Mention your understanding of the Crew customer and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Emphasise your technical expertise in garment fabrication and production processes. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated prices in previous roles.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working closely with design, merchandising, and technical teams, include examples of past collaborations. Show how you’ve effectively communicated and led cross-functional projects to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Crew Clothing Company
✨Know Your Product
Familiarise yourself with Crew Clothing's sportswear and activewear lines. Understand the brand's essence and how their products are designed to resonate with customers. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for the product during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or improved margins. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships and how this has positively impacted your previous roles in buying.
✨Understand Market Trends
Stay updated on current trends in the sportswear and activewear market. Be ready to discuss competitor pricing strategies and how you would approach product assortment to ensure Crew Clothing remains competitive.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with design, merchandising, and technical teams, be prepared to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated in the past. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to lead by example.
