At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stylish menswear collections that elevate the Polo brand and meet customer needs.
- Company: Join a leading lifestyle brand known for its innovative approach to fashion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on teamwork and personal development.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of menswear in the EMEA market.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or merchandising, with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Polo Menswear Buyer is responsible for developing commercially successful, brand‑elevating assortments for the EMEA wholesale channel. The role manages the end‑to‑end buying process across assigned categories, from assortment strategy, product selection, pricing, forecasting, investment planning, sell‑in preparation and market support through to trading and performance review.
Combining strong product knowledge, customer and account understanding, regional awareness and analytical judgment, the Buyer delivers ranges that support financial targets, strengthen the Polo brand position and align with the wider EMEA Menswear strategy. The role partners closely with Planning and Inventory Management, Brand Presentation, Product Design and Merchandising, and Regional Sales teams to translate seasonal product strategies from concept to execution.
- Build seasonal Polo Menswear wholesale assortments that reflect brand priorities, customer needs, regional opportunities, account feedback and financial objectives.
- Select and manage commercially balanced, brand‑appropriate ranges across assigned categories, balancing core, seasonal, newness, big bets, label mix, SKU productivity and delivery flow.
- Partner with Planning to manage category plans, OTB, wholesale value, units, investment levels, pricing, forecasting, availability and market readiness.
- Use sell‑in, sell‑out, account performance, margin, inventory, customer feedback, competitor insight and hindsight analysis to identify risks, opportunities and future assortment actions.
- Prepare and maintain accurate line lists, paginations, SKU requests, assortment tools, NuORDER information, purchase orders and account planning outputs.
- Present assortment strategy, product rationale, key bets and commercial recommendations for line opening, market, account planning, sign‑off and business reviews.
- Collaborate with Planning, Corporate Merchandising, Regional Sales Teams, Marketing, Merchandising Operations and market teams while contributing to process improvements and stronger ways of working.
Previous experience in Buying, Merchandising or Sales is key to the role, ideally within a wholesale, retail or premium lifestyle brand environment. Strong understanding of the end‑to‑end wholesale buying process, including assortment building, pricing, forecasting, purchase order management, line presentation, market preparation, account planning and seasonal calendar milestones.
Commercial awareness and a strong understanding of Polo Menswear customers, wholesale account needs, product trends, competitor activity, customer archetypes, regional differences and EMEA market dynamics. Strong numeric and analytical capability, with confidence interpreting wholesale value, units, sell‑in, sell‑out, margin, inventory, availability, sell‑through, account productivity and category performance data.
Ability to build assortments across core, seasonal, concept, label and category dimensions while balancing brand elevation, commerciality and productivity. Excellent organization and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple seasonal milestones, stakeholder requests, market deadlines and account planning deliverables.
Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, present assortments, explain commercial recommendations and tell a clear product story. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with strong working knowledge of Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, NuORDER and relevant buying, planning, reporting or sell‑in systems.
Fluent English; additional European languages are an advantage depending on regional and account scope. One‑Team mindset, with proven ability to work well with others, build authentic working relationships and collaborate, support and nurture without prompt.
Buyer Wholesale Menswear employer: FashionUnited Group
As a Buyer Wholesale Menswear at Polo, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment that values creativity and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring you can elevate your career while contributing to the success of our brand. Located in the vibrant heart of England, we offer a unique chance to engage with diverse markets and customers, making your role both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer Wholesale Menswear
✨Get to Know the Industry Events
Dive into wholesale distribution trade shows and local industry meet-ups. These events are gold mines for networking and can even lead to job leads. Plus, getting face time with companies like FashionUnited Group can make you stand out!
✨Connect with Industry Professionals
Join online forums and communities specific to wholesale distribution. Places like LinkedIn groups or industry-specific Slack channels can put you in touch with insiders who know about the latest job openings at companies like FashionUnited Group before they even get posted.
✨Tailor Your Approach to Distribution Roles
When you apply for full-time roles, make sure your interactions highlight your understanding of supply chain management and logistics. Companies like FashionUnited Group want to see that you get the bigger picture and can contribute to their efficiency!
✨Follow Up Like a Pro
After you've sent in your application, don't be shy! Follow up with a brief message to express your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows initiative but keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters at FashionUnited Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer Wholesale Menswear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Distribution Know-How:For a role in wholesale distribution, it’s crucial to highlight any experience you have with supply chain management or logistics. Make sure to detail any relevant projects or roles on your CV that show you understand how products move from point A to point B efficiently.
Quantify Your Achievements:When crafting your CV, don’t just list tasks; instead, focus on achievements that can be quantified. For example, mention how you increased delivery efficiency by a percentage or managed a specific number of vendors. Numbers stand out and prove you can make a difference at FashionUnited Group.
Tailored Cover Letter Approach:In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about wholesale distribution and what excites you about the specific challenges at FashionUnited Group. Show us you’ve done some research on the company, and mention any values or initiatives they have that resonate with you.
Highlight Team Collaboration Skills:Since wholesale distribution often requires working closely with teams, emphasise your teamwork skills in your application. Include examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues, suppliers, or stakeholders to improve operations or resolve issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at FashionUnited Group
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
In the wholesale distribution sector, being able to analyse market trends and inventory data is key. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled inventory management issues or implemented solutions that improved efficiency; this will show FashionUnited Group that you can handle the analytical side of the role.
✨Know Your Logistics Inside Out
Since logistics play a massive part in wholesale distribution, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the tools and software used in the industry, like ERP systems or supply chain management platforms. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview to impress FashionUnited Group.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that revolve around real-life situations in wholesale distribution, such as how you'd handle supply chain disruptions or manage relationships with suppliers. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies on these topics to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Long-Term Potential
As you're applying for a full-time role, FashionUnited Group will want to see your commitment to growing within the organisation. Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals, emphasising that you are in it for the long haul!