Interim Buyer - Childrenswear 9 month FTC

Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. Without the collaboration, honesty and friendship between our teams, we wouldn’t be where we are today. 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.

Overview

The Buyer is responsible for managing their own department and reporting into the Buying Manager. This role includes management of the team, developing the range in line with concept, strategy, meeting margin targets and managing the supply base to create amazing product that meets the Boden quality standards.

Location: 4/5 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest working from home.

How We Lead At Boden

• Being a manager at Boden is about giving people clarity, backing them properly, and helping them do their best work.
• You make things make sense. You take big ideas and turn them into clear priorities, so people know what they’re doing and (most importantly) why it matters.
• Your communication is clear and open - you listen and you don’t overcomplicate things.
• You take responsibility. When big decisions need to be made, you make them. When things change, you adapt. And when things don’t go to plan, you own it and move things forward.
• You stay close to what matters - our customer, our brand and our goals - using that to guide decisions and keep teams aligned.
• Most importantly, you build a team people actually want to be part of - where people feel trusted, supported and able to grow.

What You Will Do

• Product Development Drive the development of our amazing product working closely with internal teams and suppliers.
• Work closely with the Designers, Techs and Merchandisers from the start of the development stage to ensure the designs align with the Product Framework and meet quality and margin targets.
• 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.
• Pre-empt difficulties you may encounter and find solutions.
• Review development samples with the team to ensure suppliers have followed instructions, flag how they may differ with suppliers and what can be done to improve in the future.
• Deliver the sustainability roadmap.
• Supply Base Create a supplier strategy that meets Boden’s needs each season. Continually looking for opportunities and risks.
• Set up and onboard new suppliers.
• Negotiation Maximise your negotiation skills to meet each seasons target margin.
• Set targets and understand where you are going to make the biggest margin impact.
• Critical Path Management Oversee the department Critical Path to ensure deliveries are on time and delays are escalated to management with solutions.
• Communicate Order Confirmations to suppliers.
• Support the team with understanding quality needs and standards.
• Ensure development packs and samples meet the deadlines set out in the company critical path.
• Ensure garments are always fitted on time and with fit & flatter in mind.
• Manage trigger and repeat dates with suppliers.
• Manage and keep up to date fabric and liable holdings.
• Management Manage the team ensuring they meet deadlines.
• Have strong relationships with the supply base and internal teams to ensure smooth running of the department.
• Hold weekly 121s, ensure they manage their workload, work at pace, embrace challenges.
• Give regular feedback, positive and constructive and tailor your methods to the individual to progress your team.
• Recognise talent and manage underperformance.
• Lead by example and create and culture built on trust.

Communication

• 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.
• Speak up when something is going wrong and avoid it becoming a bigger issue.

Systems

• Ensure your team keep PLM up to date and accurate at all times.
• Help your team to ensure production BOM’s are accurate.

What We Are Looking For

• Ideally a current Buyer and preferable experience working within Childrenswear categories (though not essential).
• Strong supplier management experience.
• Be creative and have a keen eye for detail.
• Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience of managing a team.
• Some retail or administrative experiences.
• Be organised, adaptable, strategic and enjoys a challenge.
• Clear communication and problem-solving skills.

Our Behaviours

At Boden, how we work matters just as much as what we deliver.

• We keep things simple. We say what we mean, keep each other in the loop, and follow through on what we’ve said we’ll do.
• We care about doing a good job - and we care about each other.
• We’re always kind, often honest, and we will push for high standards without making it heavy.
• We know what we’re good at, we lean on each other when needed, and we show up as a team - taking ownership and getting things done together.

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 want Boden to be the place everyone wants to work. Friendly, open and tolerant. A best-of-British company with diverse teams, equal opportunities, and fair working and recruitment practices. 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 do not hesitate to let us know.