Buyer - Own Buy 12 month FTC in Bradford

FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ

Hybrid flexibility – 2 days per week in the office

Are you an experienced and passionate fashion buyer looking for an opportunity to elevate your career? Now is a fantastic time to join our Buying and Merchandising Team as we embark on an ambitious and exciting growth journey. You will develop and deliver a fashion product range which fulfils customer requirements and delivers the core values and attributes of the FGH Brands; manage a product team to meet current and future sales, margin and stock targets within budget. Innovation is key as we look for new ideas which will improve the customer experience and our business processes.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage and develop the supply base to support the execution of a sourcing strategy which balances the opportunity for maximising margin and the need for flexibility in response to changing customer and market needs.
• Ensure that profit and service are potentialised and overstocks minimised.
• Develop own buy ranges determined by customer demands and profitability.
• Propose and develop seasonal departmental product strategies which take account of product performance, customer requirements, marketing plans and current and future market trends.
• In conjunction with the Merchandiser and QA, develop, review and gain agreement for the department strategy and targets for each product area to achieve sales and profit plans.
• Work with Merchandiser, Design, Marketing and E-Commerce to develop a critical path and ensure all key milestones are met.
• Agree with Merchandiser the sales targets from ‘Open to Buy’ and range reviews.
• Agree range plan, stock flow, margins and prices with Merchandiser to ensure smooth flow of the right stock at the right time.
• Constantly maintain a thorough market knowledge and awareness of changes in competitor ranges and strategies, ensuring that a commercial range is delivered and appropriate to the profile of the target customer.
• In conjunction with QA, ensure that all products meet the standards of quality (functionality and consistency), Legal and Safety, whilst ensuring orders are placed on time and within the agreed critical path.
• As one of the Brands Product Experts, make recommendations to Marketing and E-commerce on products that should be featured in editorial content / emails / promotions.
• Agree objectives with direct reports, manage their performance and provide advice and guidance so they can work effectively and develop within their roles.

ABOUT YOU

• With strong analytical skills and strong attention to detail, you will be used to working closely with a design team.
• With experience in range building, your product development experience will include fabric knowledge.
• Able to commute to Bradford city centre.
• Business travel which may include overnight stay – UK and abroad.
• At least 3 years proven experience at Buyer level in a Retail environment.
• Experience of ladies fashion buying.
• Experience of working closely with a design team.
• Knowledge of multi-category buying including Knitwear/Outerwear/Denim preferably.
• High level range planning and range building skills.
• A good understanding of commercials is very important with the ability to accurately judge cost and selling prices on seeing products, predict sales potential of a product and understand target customers' buying behaviour.
• Related product and competitor product knowledge and experience, or skills easily transferable to the specific product area.
• This includes experience of researching and evaluating all product and market trends, competitor activity, understanding of customers' changing requirements, improving perceived product quality, anticipating and planning for gaps in ranges.
• Product development experience: fabric knowledge, used to travelling overseas.
• Ability to work cross-functionally to form and execute marketing plans to drive KPIs and meet customer needs.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Flexible and positive attitude and approach to work.
• Good influencing skills both internal and external customers.
• Proven track record for developing effective working relationships.
• Proven negotiation skills, with experience of managing a supplier base as well as sourcing new suppliers.
• High level influencing and communication skills.
• Strong people management and development skills.
• Having the ability to adapt to different customer requirements.
• Ability to adapt to rapid change.

ABOUT US:

FGH BUYING & MERCHANDISING An exciting and fast-paced environment, Buying & Merchandising stay at the forefront of the latest trends and work closely with providers across Asia and Europe to provide the great products our customers love. For over 100 years, Freemans has been at the forefront of home shopping, delivering quality products and exceptional service. We’ve accepted the challenge to transform our business into a modern, digital-first retailer. Based in West Yorkshire and part of the OTTO group – one of the world’s largest online retail organisations, Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) is the home of familiar brands such as Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, and Curvissa.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• FLEXIBILITY: We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working options to help you achieve a healthy work – life balance. Our full-time head office colleagues work a minimum of 2 days per week in the office, allowing the perfect balance between collaborative in-person teamwork and the flexibility to work from home.
• TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT: Turning your job into a career is a real passion for us and our development programmes will enable you to grow in role. We offer clear career pathways that will show you the way, outlining the skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to perform at the next step. We invest in our colleagues, giving them all the opportunity to progress. Our inspired leadership programme is aimed at equipping our future leaders to coach, develop, manage change and maintain situational awareness.
• INCLUSIVITY: As a business, we depend on a fusion of identities, characteristics, backgrounds, and cultures to fully appreciate our people and our customers. Freemans has a long-standing commitment to ensuring fairness and balance. Our company is an inclusive organisation where everybody can make the most of their talent and abilities. Our pay, reward, and progression approach is based solely on fairness and merit. Our values and policies ensure that all colleagues receive fair and equitable treatment. We work hard to attract the very best talent, develop our workforce and create a culture of fairness and integrity for all.
• BENEFITS: Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme, 37 Days holiday, Healthcare cash plan, Competitive pension scheme, Life assurance, Paid paternity and maternity leave, Incredible staff discounts, Subsidised Canteen.

Ready to apply? If you’re excited about this opportunity and want to join FGH, click apply now to send us your application.