At a Glance
- Tasks: Optimise costing strategies and collaborate with the Trapstar team on innovative projects.
- Company: Footasylum, a leading UK retailer in streetwear and sportswear.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse team culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment in Greater Manchester with a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Join a creative team pushing boundaries in fashion and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in apparel sourcing and costing, strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Footasylum is a leading UK-based retailer specialising in streetwear and sportswear, committed to delivering innovative and trend-setting products to our customers, with a strong focus on digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. Footasylum have recently partnered with Trapstar and this role will be predominately working alongside the Trapstar team. Founded on the principle that "It's A Secret," Trapstar continues to push boundaries through innovation, creativity, and a relentless commitment to authenticity.
Overview
- Optimize costing and allocation strategies to support the overall sourcing objectives, in close collaboration with the Costing and Sourcing team.
- Ensure accurate product cost analysis, competitive supplier negotiations, and sustainable sourcing practices.
- The role focuses on driving cost efficiency, maintaining quality standards, and building strategic supplier partnerships to support business growth and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Costing & Pricing
- Deliver Brands Seasonal cost management through PLM system, conducting weekly analysis and supplier negotiations to achieve seasonal targets.
- Ownership of price lists across Channels - Supporting margin analysis and price scenario modelling to inform pricing decisions and commercial negotiations.
- Sourcing of products and Material
- Lead product order placement by consolidating cross-channel order books while analysing moq’s, mcq’s, lead-times and planned delivery of timely product launch.
- Collaborate with designers and product developers during fitting sessions promoting cost-reduction solutions and margin improvement strategies.
- Lead Pre-season material forecasting supporting all nominated material dependent production timelines.
- Supplier Communication & Relationship Management
- Lead cost negotiations with understanding of product construction and supporting analysis of previous seasons as well as cross costing.
- Support supplier strategy and allocation by providing detailed reporting and feedback on costing, performance, and margin.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers maintaining ethical practices and transparent cost data.
About you
- Experienced in Apparel costings / sourcing.
- Extensive knowledge of key sourcing regions—including Europe, Asia, and Turkey—and a deep understanding of their respective strengths and capabilities.
- Experienced with consolidation opportunities (same fabric, colour, mill, or factory).
- Manage capacity plans and flag risks while having a great understanding of factory capabilities, lead times, MOQ's and production planning.
- Extensive experience in reviewing and translating tech packs, BOMs, and material details into actionable sourcing and costing strategies.
- PLM/ERP systems (Centric, WFX, Backbone, Business Central etc.) experience is preferable.
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills to manage several seasons in parallel.
- Ability to guide team members to achieve professional growth and enhance performance.
- Strong team player with exceptional collaboration skills.
Diversity
We recognise and value the importance of diversity to help make sure we have lots of different perspectives when we are building products and services. We know that this will help us build useful and accessible things which our customers will love. This is great news for our business. Diversity for us is also, importantly, about building happy teams full of people that want to learn and want to be inspired by each other and our different experiences and backgrounds.
Recruitment Process
We’ll help make the interview process as transparent and stress-free as possible. We review applications individually, and if we feel you would be a good fit, we’ll invite you for a call or Teams video for an informal chat about the role and to see if we’re a good fit for you. We value open and honest conversations and collaboration, allowing you to learn about our work in an informal and friendly environment. We want to know about you and why you feel this is your opportunity.
Please note this is not a remote role, and we expect that you will be able to attend Head Office in a hybrid way in Greater Manchester.
Senior Sourcing and Costing Assistant in Rochdale employer: Footasylum
Footasylum is an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, particularly in the vibrant retail environment of Merry Hill. With a strong focus on training, support, and progression opportunities, you will be empowered to thrive in your role as Assistant Store Manager while contributing to a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences. Our inclusive work culture celebrates diversity and innovation, ensuring that every team member can influence our retail standards and enjoy a fulfilling career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sourcing and Costing Assistant in Rochdale
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Footasylum, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Footasylum!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sourcing and Costing Assistant in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Footasylum, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Footasylum and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Footasylum that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Footasylum
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
