At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising strategy for e‑Comm and Retail, creating impactful product assortments.
- Company: Join HOKA, a dynamic brand committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, flexible working, discounts, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, preferably in sports, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
As the Lead Buyer DTC for HOKA, you will lead the merchandising and assortment strategy across e‑Comm and Retail, ensuring product selections, range architecture, and seasonal assortments align with our category and commercial strategy. You'll play a key role in building cohesive product ranges that support HOKA's EMEA growth objectives, collaborating with cross‑functional teams and operating with an omni‑channel mindset.
The ideal candidate will have experience in merchandising within a running, sports, or retail environment—ideally with exposure to both digital and physical channels—and will understand consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes across EMEA to identify opportunities and maximise commercial performance.
Diversity & Inclusion
We celebrate diversity of your background, your experiences, and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can come as they are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly better together.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and present seasonal merchandising assortments aligned with brand strategy and commercial plans for e‑Comm, Retail stores, and Events.
- Maintain range plans that support overall merchandising and category strategy.
- Collaborate with Planning to provide SKU‑level forecasting and channel planning based on consumer insights, business intelligence, historic performance, and marketing plans.
- Lead the seasonal merchandising process in partnership with Planning teams.
- Ensure range efficiency and SKU optimization targets are met across e‑Comm and Retail seasonal assortments.
- Build strong cross‑functional relationships, acting as the key category representative connecting multiple regional teams to product.
- Monitor incoming deliveries and stock levels with Planning and highlight risks or issues that may impact launch readiness or range performance.
- Run weekly and seasonal trade reports, sharing analysis on bestsellers, performance trends, and key insights with stakeholders.
- Identify sales, trade, consumer, and market trends to highlight emerging risks and opportunities across e‑Comm and Retail channels.
- Liaise with Demand Planning and the e‑Commerce Trading team on weekly trade, product priorities, and key commercial moments to maximize opportunities and support a best‑in‑class customer experience.
- Lead projects to develop localized product assortments, working closely with Global teams to execute and manage the critical path.
- Partner with the e‑Comm Trading team to support and enable strong execution of the brand and product strategy online.
- Support Retail, e‑Comm, and Marketing teams with product information to enable impactful storytelling and effective merchandising execution.
- Support exclusive product strategies within the category team and in alignment with the broader omni‑channel merchandising strategy.
Core Competencies
- Self‑motivated and proactive.
- Flexible and adaptable to change.
- Dynamic, energetic, and forward thinking.
- Well organized and innovative, with a creative approach to challenges.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in a Merchandising role, preferably in the sports industry.
- Fluent in English; additional European languages are an advantage.
- Demonstrates enthusiasm for Merchandising and a desire to continue progressing in their merchandising career.
- Proficient in Microsoft applications, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe (editor/photoshop).
- Strong numerate and problem‑solving skills.
- Good understanding of omni‑channel management.
Benefits
- 27 days of holidays + bank holidays and some time away from work – on top of generous holiday allowance, we can generally take advantage of half‑day Fridays providing our work is finished for the week.
- Extras, discounts, perks & volunteering opportunities – being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community‑based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras.
- Growth and Development – Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That's why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development including Global Mentorship Programme.
- Hybrid & Flexible Working Environment.
Lead Buyer in City of Westminster employer: Deckers
At HOKA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions diversity and inclusion while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Lead Buyer, you'll enjoy a flexible working environment, generous holiday allowances, and extensive growth opportunities through our Global Mentorship Programme, all while contributing to our mission of driving EMEA growth in the sports industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer in City of Westminster
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Deckers are looking for when hiring for a Lead Buyer.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Deckers for the Lead Buyer, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Deckers as a Lead Buyer, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Deckers’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Lead Buyer.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Deckers, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Deckers's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Deckers. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Deckers
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Deckers uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Deckers. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
