Senior Buyer (FTC) in London

Senior Buyer (FTC) in London

London Full-Time 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
K

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product investment for Coach Women’s Leathergoods and drive performance across EMEAI.
  • Company: Join Coach, a global fashion house with a commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and discounts on luxury brands.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities and regular social events.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in the luxury fashion industry while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in buying or planning, with strong leadership and analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of our hometown, we make beautiful things, crafted to last—for you to be yourself in. Coach is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.

Primary Purpose: The Senior Buyer will lead the strategic and operational execution of product investment for Coach Women’s Leathergoods across EMEAI. Reporting to the Senior Buying Manager, the Senior Buyer will cultivate strong relationships with key regional and global partners, drive in-season performance against financial targets within the Outlet channel, and play a pivotal role in the implementation of brand, product and planning strategies across the region.

The successful individual will leverage their proficiency in Buying to:

  • Own 75–80% of the Outlet business, driving trading, investments, and OTB management in collaboration with the Inventory Management team and Senior Buying Manager.
  • Lead planning, forecasting, and management of sales and stock at SKU level across all channels, including markdown planning and end-of-season clearance.
  • Manage and develop one direct report, fostering growth and clarity on deliverables and timelines. Promote best practices within the team to enhance productivity and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Ensure forecast accuracy aligned with monthly and quarterly financial plans.
  • Conduct regular product performance analysis, sharing insights and action plans with local and global teams.
  • Manage the EMEAI assortment strategy across all channels, ensuring strategic alignment and effective communication with stakeholders.
  • Support pricing and promotional strategies across direct channels, conducting price analysis to inform buying and trading decisions.
  • Lead the Outlet Women’s Leathergoods buy in line with quarterly strategies, ensuring investments reflect regional pricing, silhouettes, and customer preferences to achieve AOP targets.
  • Contribute to Outlet buying strategies, including product selection, door assortments, store tiering, and quarterly reviews.
  • Participate in seasonal buy reviews, hindsight meetings, and milestone calendar management.
  • Drive performance against sales and margin targets, identifying in-season opportunities and proposing trading actions to optimize investments and minimize risk.
  • Contribute to weekly trade and WSRM updates with strategic insights to the Senior Buying Manager and cross-functional teams.
  • Conduct ad-hoc analysis and scenario planning to support trading decisions and future planning.
  • Partner with the Inventory Planning team to manage on-hand inventory, support WOH/turn targets, and review AOP performance monthly and annually.
  • Partner with the Allocation team to prioritise category-specific allocations, considering floor set launches and peak trading periods.
  • Support the Wholesale Sales team with go-to-market assets and contribute to the Made to Forecast strategy for wholesale outlet growth.
  • Analyse product performance, customer feedback, consumer trends, and competitor activity to inform global merchandising and regional strategies. Share local market insights to support global product alignment and regional nuances.

The accomplished individual will possess:

  • Experienced Buyer or Planner with a strong background in Outlet.
  • Proven leadership capabilities, with prior experience managing one or more direct reports.
  • Multi-product category expertise, including experience in handbags and accessories.
  • Strong understanding of the luxury fashion or accessories market and experience working within a global brand or organisation.
  • Exceptional numerical and analytical skills, with a solid grasp of financial metrics and the ability to leverage key drivers to optimize business performance.
  • Proficiency in retail planning systems such as SAP, RPAS, CORA.
  • Advanced Excel skills.
  • Familiarity with European markets and regional business dynamics.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. As such, you will only be considered if you already possess the right to work in the UK.

What Tapestry can offer you:

  • Hybrid working (3 days working from the office, 2 days remote).
  • Option to finish early on a Friday (Flex Fridays).
  • 1 Paid Volunteering Day per year and opportunities to volunteer with global projects.
  • Learning & Development opportunities.
  • Internal mobility & career progression.
  • Regular Social Events - Seasonal & Cultural.
  • Equity Inclusion & Diversity initiatives which include employee resource groups & regional inclusion council.

Other benefits include:

  • 25 days holiday in addition to bank holidays.
  • Multi brand discount up to 50% off – Coach and Kate Spade.
  • Private Healthcare with health assessment (Bupa).
  • Bupa rewards - Financial wellbeing support and wellness discounts.
  • Private Dental Cover.
  • Free 24/7 support for family building, fertility and menopause with Maven.
  • Eyecare vouchers.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Employer Pension Contribution.
  • Gym discount.
  • Interest free season ticket loan.
  • Cycle to work scheme.

Tapestry is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people. All employment decisions (including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, transfer, training, discipline and termination) are based on the applicant’s or employee’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration. These decisions are made without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally-recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.

Senior Buyer (FTC) in London employer: kate spade new york

At Kate Spade New York, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering an inclusive and innovative work environment where creativity thrives. Our Stylists enjoy flexible scheduling, generous staff discounts, and ample opportunities for professional development, making it a rewarding place to grow your career while helping customers express their unique style.

K

Contact Details:

kate spade new york Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer (FTC) in London

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 kate spade new york, 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 kate spade new york!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer (FTC) in London

Buying Proficiency
Leadership Skills
Multi-Product Category Expertise
Numerical and Analytical Skills
Retail Planning Systems (SAP, RPAS, CORA)
Advanced Excel Skills
Forecasting and Planning

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 kate spade new york, 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 kate spade new york 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 kate spade new york that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at kate spade new york

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!