At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for Sportswear and Activewear, managing the full product lifecycle.
- Company: Join a heritage brand with a supportive and collaborative team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, staff discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sportswear industry while developing your skills and leading a team.
- Qualifications: Experience in sportswear buying and strong negotiation skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially minded, product-focused Buyer to take ownership of the Sportswear and Activewear category. This role will oversee the full product lifecycle - from concept and range planning through supplier management, negotiation, and critical path delivery - ensuring commercial success across retail, ecommerce, and wholesale channels.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the buying strategy and seasonal assortment for Sportswear & Activewear.
- Partner closely with Design, Merchandising, and Technical teams to bring collections to market.
- Manage supplier relationships, negotiate cost prices, and deliver on intake margin targets.
- Oversee critical path and ensure 95%+ on-time delivery across all channels.
- Deliver commercially balanced ranges, aligned to customer demand and competitor insights.
- Ensure product quality, fit, and brand essence are maintained through development and production.
- React to trade performance in-season, optimising assortment and delivery where needed.
- Provide leadership, training, and support to junior members of the team.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in Sportswear/Activewear buying with a strong commercial track record.
- Expertise in supplier negotiation, sourcing, and garment production.
- Solid understanding of market trends, competitor activity, and price architecture.
- Strong critical path management skills, ensuring smooth delivery of seasonal ranges.
- Confident decision maker with excellent commercial judgement.
- Self-motivated, resilient, and collaborative, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Experience leading and developing team members.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary package.
- Hybrid working.
- Staff discount & seasonal product allowance.
- Pension scheme.
- Training and career development opportunities.
- Supportive, collaborative team culture in a heritage brand.
Buyer -Sportswear - London employer: CVUK
Contact Detail:
CVUK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer -Sportswear - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sportswear industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your buying strategies, successful negotiations, and any standout projects. This will help you stand out when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends! Follow industry news and competitor activities. Being able to discuss current trends during interviews shows you’re passionate and knowledgeable about the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer -Sportswear - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sportswear: When writing your application, let your love for sportswear and activewear shine through. Share any personal experiences or insights that connect you to the industry, as this will help us see your genuine interest in the role.
Highlight Your Buying Experience: Make sure to detail your previous buying experience, especially in sportswear or activewear. We want to know about your successes in managing supplier relationships and negotiating prices, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Demonstrate Your Team Spirit: Since collaboration is key in our team, mention any experiences where you've worked closely with design, merchandising, or technical teams. Show us how you can contribute to a supportive and collaborative culture at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to the specific role. Use keywords from the job description and align your skills with what we’re looking for. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CVUK
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Sportswear and Activewear category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key competitors, and what makes a successful product range. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial mindset and show that you're ready to take ownership of the category.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past supplier negotiations where you achieved great results. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing supplier relationships and how you ensure cost prices align with margin targets. This will highlight your expertise in sourcing and garment production.
✨Demonstrate Critical Path Management
Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed critical paths to ensure on-time delivery. Discuss how you react to trade performance and optimise assortments in-season. This will showcase your ability to keep things running smoothly and meet deadlines.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Experience
Be prepared to talk about your experience leading and developing team members. Share how you've provided training and support, and how you foster collaboration within your team. This will illustrate your leadership qualities and your fit within a supportive, collaborative culture.