At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for apparel and mentor junior team members.
- Company: Join JD Sports, a leading global retailer in sports fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, personal development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with multiple brands both in the UK and internationally.
- Why this job: Be part of a successful team driving innovation in sports fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong analytical skills, and trend awareness.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms with our colleagues working in stores across several retail fascias in many markets around the world. JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019 and continues to grow in the UK and internationally. We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. To be a part of this successful company and help us to achieve this you will have the desire to ingrain our strategic goals of being a people-led, innovative and customer-focused organisation which provides operational excellence whilst identifying new areas of growth as part of our day to day objectives.
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 re 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.
We know our colleagues work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits including staff Discount On JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.
Senior Buyer - Apparel - 12 Month FTC in Bury employer: JD Sports
At GO Outdoors, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As a Department Manager, you will not only lead a passionate team but also benefit from extensive personal development opportunities, including access to apprenticeships and accredited qualifications. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive staff discounts, and a focus on maintaining high operational standards, working with us means being part of a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Apparel - 12 Month FTC in Bury
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Apparel - 12 Month FTC 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 relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to JD Sports:Don’t forget to personalise your application for JD Sports! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at JD Sports
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that JD Sports offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at JD Sports and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
