At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying strategies and mentor junior team members in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join JD Sports, a leading name in sports fashion with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and opportunities to work with top brands globally.
- Other info: Collaborate across teams and attend exciting trade shows to stay ahead of trends.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sports fashion while driving sales and trends.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong analytical skills, and a passion for sports fashion.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Responsible to: Head of Buying/Buying Director
Department: Buying
Location: JD Sports Fashion plc, Hollinsbrook way, Pilsworth, Bury, BL9 8RR
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Work with the department head and buying director to build forward strategy and ensure implementation.
- Development and mentorship of junior members of the buying team.
- Representing the Buying function on relevant fascia and category (tbc).
- Attending all appointments, with involvement in selection, editing and curation of product.
- Attending all product launches throughout the year as specified.
- Attending all relevant trade shows.
- Market analysis/store visits.
- Analysis and review of trade with the merchandising department to propose and drive actions for the week/seasons ahead ensuring KPI’s and Margin targets are met.
- Vendor negotiation and new brand onboarding.
- Being hyper vigilant on new brands opportunities and trends to diversify and drive department/category sales and ensure market relevancy.
- Budget negotiation and planning within internal teams and external brands.
- Negotiation with brands regarding distribution agreements.
- Working independently in a creative and trend led environment.
- Managing budgets and OTB on in seasons and forward budgets.
- Present ranges and department strategy with department head to Buying Director and Merchandising Director.
- Preparation and presentation of performance in trade meetings.
- Proposals to assist driving sales in your relevant department.
- Stock management in conjunction with brands and merchandising team.
- Cross functional collaboration to bring brands/departmental strategy to life.
Core Competencies
- Extensive knowledge of our store base and website.
- Strong presentation skills.
- Confidence within own decisions and product selection.
- Comfortable in driving decisions on file and being accountable for all actions.
- Ability to act independently.
- Extensive knowledge of product area and market.
- Ability to look forward and predict trends both current and future.
- Highly numerate and skilled within budget forecasting and planning.
- Strong time management skills ensuring all business critical deadlines are met.
Skills/Experience/Knowledge needed
- Experienced Buyer or currently in a senior buying role.
- Experience of buying Sports Fashion is advantageous.
- Experience of buying branded goods is essential.
- People development experience advantageous.
- Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends at a high street and premium level price point.
- Be able to exercise a high degree of analytical and numerical skills.
- Fully literate in Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Word, Excel.
- Organisational skills are essential.
- Be able to work under own initiative.
- A creative and trend led individual.
What we will offer you
- Development linked to your role with the business.
- An opportunity to work across multi-brands both UK and Internationally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Mens Footwear in Bury
✨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 JD GROUP, 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 JD GROUP!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Mens Footwear in Bury
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 JD GROUP, 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 JD GROUP 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 JD GROUP that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD GROUP
✨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!
