Junior Buyer in Kingston upon Thames

Kingston-on-Thames (4 days in office, 1 from home) 37.5 hours a week 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, in 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: Supports the Head of Buying in the commercialisation of agreed Crew product range to drive profitable sales growth. This role manages the process to ensure that the collections, once designed, are appropriately priced and effectively produced to the quality expectations of the Crew customer and in line with agreed sourcing routes. A sound awareness of the market place and sales performance will ensure balanced and relevant range development.

Responsibilities:

• Product Development

• Deliver agreed product range from proto stage to product delivered in store
• Identify new product opportunities and present these to Head of Buying
• Delivery range that meets all established targets (intake margin, cost price, profitable, commercial and on-brand)
• 95% on time delivery through all channels
• Exceptional range building skills and understanding of Crew vision to deliver against that
• Management of Admin Assistant as necessary within team structure
• Delivery of profitability & maximising sales through trading if identified
• Raise PO’s and manage process with 100% accuracy and within dates on critical path
• Be involved with understanding the range frameworks to include options, price points, and best selling lines identified from previous seasons to enable a well-balanced range
• Liaise with design and technical on a weekly basis to manage design, sampling and production Critical Path to achieve on time delivery and minimum 95% launch availability
• Monitor product during all stages of development and manufacturing to ensure that they meet brand requirements and are to specification
• Attend fit meetings where appropriate with design and garment tech teams to ensure continuity of fit and execution of new blocks

• Develop strong working relationships with all supply partners - liaise on all stages of product development, negotiation and production stages and communicate regularly and consistently
• Negotiate prices, execute and deliver product ranges, which exceed budgeted intake margin for all channel ranges and exceed customer expectations, in line with Head of Buying expectations
• Manage production process from SMS confirmation to delivery into warehouse and communicate progress effectively
• Manage OTB process to ensure in season trading opportunities are identified and delivered

• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively at all times within team and wider business
• Attend weekly departmental team and trade meetings to ensure team is well informed and prepared and trading opportunities identified
• Work closely with the Merchandisers to ensure the signed off range reflects the agreed options and product/colour mix. Revisit in line with in seasonal performance
• By way of monthly store visits, marketing and analysis of key competitors – gain better understanding of both Crew's position in the market place, target customer and identify opportunities to change/improve

• Manage salesman sample process from initial design prototype through to final stage
• Ensure all SMS samples are available to Channels within given timelines, and are executed to meet requirements
• Manage category sample invoices for each season to reduce the development costs involved
• Ensure all Direct and Marketing requirements are met on time to ensure Crew catalogue and website launch dates are achieved
• Ensure all correct samples are handed over to photo shoot and PR, and communicate any subsequent changes

Key Skills and Experience:

• Essential

• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Excellent computer literacy in Excel /Outlook/Word
• Ability to prioritise and manage a work schedule whilst working to tight deadlines
• Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Supplier and other department members
• Team work but motivated and able to work independently
• Understanding of the Buying function and critical Path processes and skilled in management of
• Able to work with pace and energy

• Desire to learn
• Understanding of garment construction and production processes
• Passion for product and keen to learn
• Positive and solutions orientated
• Keen to progress within role and Crew business

Please only apply if you have existing experience as a Junior Buyer or Senior Assistant Buyer within Fashion.