At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for apparel, managing product ranges and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at JD Sports, a leader in sports fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, extra holiday, gym memberships, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and innovation in a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of fashion.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in sports fashion buying and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Role Purpose: Supporting the Head of Buying in delivering the set strategy to deliver a profitable, customer-relevant, and commercially competitive product range within an agreed category/brand area. The Buying Manager builds and manages supplier relationships, and leads the day-to-day range, margin, stock, and cost decisions to achieve sales, profit and inventory KPIs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute category range architecture across core, seasonal, and innovation, including clear entry and exit strategies, aligned to brand and customer objectives.
- Lead the build and delivery of compelling product ranges across core, seasonal and trend-led categories.
- Present ranges with confidence to Directors and senior stakeholders, acting as a key liaison between Heads of and wider cross-functional teams.
- Lead, manage and develop a team of varying seniority, providing clear direction, coaching and progression opportunities to drive high performance.
- Maintain a strong understanding of the customer, competitor landscape and wider market trends; leverage external networks across brands and industry contacts to inform strategy and identify new opportunities.
- Use insight and market knowledge to shape category direction and influence broader brand strategy.
- Own product selection decisions and range sign-off within delegated authority, ensuring commercial alignment.
- Drive pricing strategy, including recommendations on initial pricing and markdown proposals.
- Partner closely with trading and allocation teams to optimise availability and minimise lost sales.
- Identify and drive operational improvements within the buying function, championing efficiency, process development and commercial accuracy.
- Build strong relationships with brand partners to unlock opportunities and ensure competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising & Planning, Marketing, Ecommerce, Studio/Creative, Retail Operations and Supply Chain to ensure effective execution.
- Provide clear briefs, critical paths and timelines to support product launches, campaigns and go-live readiness.
- Identify opportunities to improve ways of working within the buying function, driving efficiency, commercial accuracy and process consistency.
Key Measures of Success (KPIs):
- Sales and gross margin vs plan
- Stock turn, weeks of cover, intake vs OTB (open-to-buy)
- Markdown rate and terminal stock
- Availability / sell-through / lost sales
Skills & Experience Required:
- Proven experience in Sports Fashion Buying at a management level
- Extensive network within the industry and well connected with strong brand relationships
- Experience leading, coaching and developing a buying team (e.g., Buyers, Senior Buyers).
- Ability to delegate effectively, set priorities and manage team capacity in a fast-paced environment.
- Confident in representing the buying function in cross-functional and senior stakeholder meetings.
What We Offer:
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace where every colleague is valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and strive to ensure that all colleagues regardless of background, identity, or lived experience can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
As a part of our successful and continually evolving company, you’ll be encouraged to embrace and uphold our strategic priorities: putting people first, at the forefront of digital innovation, staying deeply attuned to our customers, and pursuing operational excellence. We are always exploring new avenues for growth, and we welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact every day.
We know our employees work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits:
- Incremental Holiday Allowance
- Staff Discount on qualifying purchases across Group retail stores and online
- Exclusive Colleague Bike Discount scheme
- Discounted Gym membership
- Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work
- Access to Apprenticeships and accredited qualifications
Buying Manager - Apparel in Bury employer: JD Sports
At JD Sports, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and empowers our employees to thrive. As a Buying Manager in Apparel, you will be part of a dynamic team that fosters personal development and offers unique benefits such as incremental holiday allowance, staff discounts, and access to apprenticeships. Our commitment to operational excellence and digital innovation ensures that you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive and collaborative work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager - Apparel in Bury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Prepare to discuss your experience in buying and how you've successfully managed teams and product ranges. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact and make sure to highlight your understanding of market trends.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for openings that excite you and tailor your approach to show why you're the perfect fit for us!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific from the conversation to show you were engaged.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager - Apparel in Bury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Buying Manager role. Highlight your experience in Sports Fashion Buying and how it aligns with our strategy at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples of how you've driven sales, improved margins, or built strong supplier relationships. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits our culture and values, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what you’re passionate about. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at JD Sports
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in sports fashion and understand the competitive landscape. Familiarise yourself with key players and their product ranges. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading and developing a buying team. Share specific examples of how you've coached team members to achieve high performance. Highlight your ability to delegate effectively and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment, as this is crucial for the Buying Manager role.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated across functions. Be ready to explain how you’ve communicated effectively with stakeholders and how you’ve driven projects to completion while ensuring everyone is aligned.
✨Present with Confidence
Practice presenting your ideas and product ranges clearly and confidently. You might be asked to present to senior stakeholders, so rehearse your pitch and anticipate questions they might have. Showing confidence in your presentation will demonstrate your capability to represent the buying function effectively.
