At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for stylish womenswear, driving product development and supplier relationships.
- Company: Boden, a fun and inclusive fashion retailer with strong ethical values.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous clothing allowance, 25 days holiday, and virtual GP service.
- Other info: Flexible working with 4/5 days in the office and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make an impact in the fashion industry while enjoying great perks.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Buyer in fashion, strong analytical skills, and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. We curate a world of beauty that’s ethical, inclusive – and importantly – good fun. We inspire you to live your best life. We are Boden.
Location: 4/5 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest working from home.
Contract: 12 Month FTC – candidates applying must be comfortable with this.
What You Will Do
- Strategy: Create a clear Product Framework, including attributes each season based on trade learnings, brand direction, customer insight and new opportunities. Trade the department on a weekly basis, be quick to respond, identify opportunities, risk and find solutions. Clear understanding of our brand, customer, and competitors in all trading regions and ensure that all decisions made are customer focused. Understand economic and social trends and question their impact on the business.
- Product Development: Drive the development of our amazing product, collaborating closely with internal teams and suppliers. Work closely with the Designers, Technicians and Merchandisers from the start of the development stage to ensure the designs align with the Product Framework and placed with the right suppliers to meet quality and margin targets. Ensure the range reflects core Boden values: Uplifting, Stylish and Grounded. Align with the Fabric team and set out clear fabric price targets each season. Stay up to date with price fluctuations and when resourcing is required. Build and present a balanced, commercial range working closely with Design and Merchandising in line with the Framework and budgets. Deliver the sustainability roadmap.
- Supply Base: Create a supplier strategy that meets Boden’s needs each season. Continually look for opportunities through cross costing, new areas of development and risks. Build strong relationships with suppliers and lead supplier performance reviews. Continually assess supply base, ensuring you’re buying from the right source and COO to deliver best price, quality, reliability, flexibility and lead times.
- Negotiation and Critical Path: Maximise your negotiation skills to meet each season’s target margin, set targets and understand where you are going to make the biggest impact. Lead the department Critical Path to ensure deliveries are on time and delays are escalated to management with solutions. Ensure deadlines are met taking appropriate action to avoid delivery delays. Communicate production and fabric forecasts to suppliers in order to hold capacity and improve margin. Support the team with understanding quality needs and standards. Ensure garments are always fitted on time and with fit & flatter in mind helping to reduce returns. Manage and keep up to date fabric and liable holdings, collaborating with teams across Boden.
- Management: Get the best out of your team by motivating, developing and coaching, always keeping the brand values in mind. Hold weekly 121s and performance reviews setting clear, measurable objectives and giving regular feedback. Recognise talent and manage underperformance. Lead by example and create a culture built on trust. Clearly communicate to get quick decisions to avoid delays, be able to recognise when you can make the decision and what needs to be escalated. Ensure your team keep systems (PLM, S5, PIM) up to date and accurate at all times.
What We Are Looking For
- Relevant experience in a Fashion retailer at Senior Buyer level – preferable to have dresses buying experience.
- Prior management experience, helping to lead a team.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Be creative and have a keen eye for detail.
- Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Be organised, adaptable, strategic and enjoy a challenge.
- Clear communication skills.
- Good problem solving skills.
- Great time management.
- Ability to multitask and work independently.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary & targeted annual bonus scheme.
- Generous Boden clothing allowance – 30% discount on all current clothing ranges.
- 25 days Holiday annually, plus Bank Holidays.
- Online portal with an array of discounts on retail & entertainment.
- Virtual GP Service for you and your household!
- Free onsite parking and subsidised café.
We believe in hiring the best person for the job – whoever they are, helping them thrive in it and celebrating their individuality. We would like to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply for our roles. If you need any reasonable adjustments or additional support during your application process, please let us know.
Interim Senior Buyer Womenswear - 12 Month FTC in East Grinstead employer: J.P. Boden & Co. Limited
At Boden, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and inclusivity. With a competitive salary, generous clothing allowance, and a commitment to employee growth through coaching and development, our North Acton office provides a supportive environment where you can thrive. Join us for a rewarding career in fashion, where your contributions are celebrated and your individuality is embraced.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Senior Buyer Womenswear - 12 Month FTC in East Grinstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fashion industry, especially those who might know someone at Boden. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Boden's values and product lines. Show us that you understand what makes Boden tick and how you can contribute to their stylish, uplifting ethos. Tailor your responses to reflect their brand identity!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings – be proactive! Keep an eye on our website for new roles and apply as soon as they pop up. The early bird catches the worm, and we love seeing enthusiastic candidates who are eager to join our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews with a thank-you note. It’s a simple gesture that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in our minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your excitement about the role and how you align with Boden’s values.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Senior Buyer Womenswear - 12 Month FTC in East Grinstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Style:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see how you embody Boden's values of being stylish, grounded, and uplifting. Share examples that reflect your unique approach to fashion and buying.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in the fashion retail industry, especially if you've worked as a Senior Buyer before. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in product development, negotiation, and team management – we love details!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Show us how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Interim Senior Buyer role and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to showcase your application in the best light. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at J.P. Boden & Co. Limited
✨Know Your Product Framework
Before the interview, dive deep into Boden's product framework. Understand how they curate their collections and what attributes are essential each season. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with creating a clear product strategy that resonates with customer insights and brand direction.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you maximised margins or improved supplier relationships. Boden values strong negotiation skills, so be ready to demonstrate how you've successfully navigated critical paths and met targets in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Boden is looking for someone who can motivate and develop a team. Think of specific instances where you've led a team effectively, set measurable objectives, and provided constructive feedback. Highlight your management style and how it aligns with Boden's values of trust and communication.
✨Stay Current with Trends
Familiarise yourself with current economic and social trends affecting the fashion industry. Be prepared to discuss how these trends impact buying decisions and product development. Showing that you’re proactive about market changes will impress your interviewers.
