Interim Senior Buyer Womenswear - 12 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.

The Senior Buyer is responsible for managing their department and reports into the Buying Manager. This role includes management and coaching of their team, creating, and delivering a range in line with the Product Framework and concept. Managing the supply base to create amazing product that meets Boden quality standards.

Location: 4/5 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest working from home. This position is a 12 Month FTC, candidates applying must be comfortable with this.

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

• 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 looking 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 and 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 enjoys a challenge.
• Clear communication skills.
• Good problem solving skills.
• Great time management.
• Ability to multitask and work independently.

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.