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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive the creation of trendy footwear ranges and analyse market trends.
- Company: Join a leading brand in the footwear industry based in Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and innovation in footwear.
- Qualifications: Experience in branded buying, especially in footwear, is essential.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior team members and collaborate across departments.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
Fuel your passion for footwear in a fast-paced, brand-driven buying environment.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Branded Footwear Buyer, you'll be the driving force behind building and delivering compelling, commercial, and trend-led branded footwear ranges. You live and breathe footwear, understand the nuances of branded assortments, and know how to turn data into sell-out collections. From strategy to store floor, you're all about creating the perfect line-up for our customers-across all channels.
Your Key Missions as the Buyer:
- Planning & Strategy
- Lead the seasonal strategy for your category-collaborating closely with the Head of Buying and Trading Manager
- Present your vision to the Buying & Merchandising Director with confidence, aligning to our wider commercial goals
- Analyse seasonal performance and market trends to inform data-led, customer-first decisions
- Ensure ranges are tailored to store footprint, fascia, and channel needs, driving sell-through and limiting markdowns
- Understand the branded landscape: from positioning and pricing to product mix and target customer
- Use customer insight and trend forecasting to shape future range builds and category direction
- Collaborate with Merchandising to produce detailed seasonal sign-off packs with clear sales and margin targets
- Identify new commercial opportunities to grow market share and keep us ahead of the curve
- Curate standout, brand-led assortments that speak directly to our customer profiles
- Champion the critical path-ensuring range selections are delivered on time and with impact
- Attend buying appointments, trade shows and brand meetings with a clear plan and purpose
- Work with brands to develop exclusive or collaborative products that give us a point of difference
- Build seasonal "go-to-market" strategies across store and online
- Secure funding and support from brands to deliver meaningful marketing activations and in-store/online campaigns
- Feed into VM and space planning to ensure premium presentation of your range
- Partner with marketing teams to drive footfall and customer engagement with the right product, in the right place, at the right time
- Monitor weekly KPIs and performance metrics to flag risks and opportunities
- Drive in-season trading activity-including pricing, stock movement and marketing pushes
- Contribute to weekly trading meetings and write monthly reports to inform future decisions
- Work closely with Merchandising to ensure stock turns are optimised and profit is maximised
- Regularly visit stores to assess product performance, presentation and local opportunities
- Manage and build strong supplier relationships to drive value beyond just product
- Negotiate commercial terms-think payment terms, returns, marketing support and margin improvements
- Monitor supplier SLAs and ensure brand partners deliver against expectations
- Lead by example, promote collaboration across departments and champion a positive culture
- Coach and support junior team members through regular feedback and development planning
- Share best practices and contribute to a "right first time" mindset across the team
- Encourage innovation and learnings to shape smarter buying practices
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a branded buying role-footwear experience is a must
- Commercially sharp, with strong planning, negotiation and analytical skills
- Excellent brand awareness and understanding of customer behaviours and retail dynamics
- Confident communicator with previous budget and financial accountability
- Experience managing or mentoring junior team members is a bonus
- A passion for product and a genuine love for footwear trends, brands and innovation
Footwear Buyer employer: LinkedIn
Contact Detail:
LinkedIn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Footwear Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest footwear trends and brands. Follow industry news, attend trade shows, and engage with online communities to stay ahead of the curve. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the footwear industry. Connect with current or former buyers on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, and join industry groups. Building relationships can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for job openings.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive buying decisions in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've analysed market trends and customer insights to create successful product ranges.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your negotiation skills by preparing examples of successful supplier partnerships you've managed. Highlight how you've negotiated terms that benefited both parties, as this is crucial for the Footwear Buyer role at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Footwear Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in branded buying, particularly in footwear. Use specific examples that demonstrate your commercial acumen and understanding of customer behaviours.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for footwear and your ability to analyse market trends. Mention how your previous experiences align with the key missions outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've used data to inform buying decisions. Highlight any experience you have with KPIs and performance metrics, as this is crucial for the role.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: If you have experience managing or mentoring junior team members, be sure to include this in your application. Discuss how you've promoted collaboration and innovation within your team.
How to prepare for a job interview at LinkedIn
✨Show Your Passion for Footwear
Make sure to express your genuine love for footwear during the interview. Share specific examples of trends you’ve followed or brands you admire, as this will demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge about the industry.
✨Prepare Data-Driven Insights
Since the role requires turning data into sell-out collections, come prepared with examples of how you've used data in previous roles. Discuss any market trends you've analysed and how they influenced your buying decisions.
✨Demonstrate Strong Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in negotiating commercial terms with suppliers. Prepare a few scenarios where you successfully negotiated better terms or built strong supplier relationships, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
If you have experience managing or mentoring junior team members, make sure to highlight this. Discuss how you’ve supported their development and contributed to a positive team culture, as leadership is an important aspect of the role.
