At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying strategy, source products, and collaborate with teams to create stunning collections.
- Company: Join a trendy womenswear brand known for its stylish and forward-thinking approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy a maternity cover contract with potential for growth and creative freedom.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping fashion while promoting sustainability and ethical sourcing.
- Qualifications: Must have strong experience in fashion buying and excellent negotiation skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and influence brand direction.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Elite have partnered with a gorgeous fashion-forward womenswear brand, seeking a commercially minded and trend-aware Senior Buyer to join the team on a maternity cover contract. This role plays a key part in building product ranges, driving sales, and shaping seasonal strategy across key categories.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a commercially driven buying strategy in line with brand identity and seasonal trends.
- Source and select product ranges that align with customer profile, sales data, and market insights.
- Lead range building across multiple categories within womenswear (e.g., dresses, outerwear, tops, denim).
- Negotiate cost prices, terms, and lead times with suppliers to ensure strong margin performance.
- Partner closely with Design, Merchandising, Production, and Marketing teams to deliver cohesive and compelling collections.
- Monitor and react to trade performance, driving actions based on sell-through, margin, and customer feedback.
- Conduct regular competitor and market analysis to ensure our assortment remains competitive and forward-thinking.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure exclusivity, speed to market, and innovation.
- Manage, coach, and develop junior team members (Assistant Buyers, BAA).
- Contribute to sustainability and ethical sourcing goals across the supply base.
Key Requirements
- Strong experience in a senior buying role within fashion, ideally across dresses, knit & jersey.
- Commercially driven with excellent product and trend knowledge.
- Skilled in negotiation, supplier management, and trade analysis.
- Confident collaborator and communicator with a proactive mindset.
- Experience across both own-label and branded product is a plus.
If you are an experienced Buyer with a strong eye for product, and a passion for responsible fashion - apply today!
Senior Buyer employer: Elite Associates
Contact Detail:
Elite Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in womenswear, especially in categories like dresses and outerwear. Follow fashion blogs, attend trade shows, and keep an eye on competitor offerings to understand what’s currently popular.
✨Tip Number 2
Build a strong network within the fashion industry. Connect with suppliers, designers, and other buyers on platforms like LinkedIn. This can help you gain insights into market trends and potentially secure exclusive deals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in supplier management during interviews. Highlight specific examples where you’ve successfully driven margin performance or built strong supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate across teams by preparing examples of how you've worked with design, merchandising, and marketing in previous roles. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset and ability to contribute to cohesive collections.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in senior buying roles, particularly within fashion. Emphasise your skills in negotiation, supplier management, and trade analysis, as these are crucial for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for fashion and responsible sourcing. Discuss how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the role, such as developing buying strategies and collaborating with various teams.
Showcase Your Trend Awareness: Demonstrate your knowledge of current fashion trends and market insights in your application. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully sourced product ranges that align with customer profiles and sales data.
Highlight Leadership Skills: If you have experience managing or coaching junior team members, be sure to include this in your application. Highlighting your ability to lead and develop others will show that you can contribute positively to the team dynamic.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elite Associates
✨Showcase Your Trend Awareness
As a Senior Buyer, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of current fashion trends. Be prepared to discuss recent trends you've noticed and how they could influence the buying strategy for the brand.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiation is a key part of the role, think of examples where you've successfully negotiated with suppliers. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will showcase your skills in securing strong margins.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experiences
This role requires close collaboration with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've worked with design, merchandising, or marketing teams in the past to create successful product ranges. This will show your ability to work well in a team environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you monitor trade performance and react to sales data. Providing specific examples of how you've used market analysis to inform your buying decisions will highlight your analytical capabilities.