At a Glance
- Tasks: Own seasonal buying and range planning while collaborating with various teams.
- Company: Join MR PORTER, the leading online destination for men's luxury fashion.
- Benefits: Enjoy performance bonuses, staff discounts, private healthcare, and flexible working.
- Other info: Diverse workplace culture that values all backgrounds and perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in luxury retail and drive market innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Buyer or Junior Buyer in a fast-paced retail environment.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Since launching in February 2011, MR PORTER has established itself as the world’s leading, award-winning online destination for men’s style, with an unparalleled product offering from the best menswear and luxury brands, including categories that range from fine watches and lifestyle through to own labels Mr P. and Kingsman.
MR PORTER produces unmatched digital and printed content across its shoppable online magazine, The Journal, and its bi-monthly newspaper, The MR PORTER Post. In 2019, MR PORTER founded MR PORTER Health In Mind, a content and fundraising initiative in partnership with Movember, developed to raise awareness around men’s mental and physical health.
We offer express worldwide shipping to more than 180 countries, including same-day delivery to New York, London and Milan, while providing a seamless shopping experience across mobile, tablet and desktop, with easy returns and multi-lingual customer care and personal-shopping teams who are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
To support our Buyer team we are searching for a Buyer (Maternity cover) (f/m/d) for one year to be based in our London office.
WHAT YOU WILL DO- Own seasonal buying and range planning in partnership with Merchandising managing OTB, assortment, pricing, stock, and sales targets to deliver a balanced, customer-focused range.
- Lead department strategy and negotiations to secure exclusive brands and ranges, optimise margins, understand supplier cost structures, and build strong commercial partnerships that maximise sales and profitability.
- Drive market leadership through innovation, identifying emerging trends, monitoring local and global markets, analysing competitors, and sourcing new products and collaborations that strengthen market position.
- Develop and execute commercial strategies for pricing, exclusives, intake margin, and full-price sell-through, ensuring profitable growth through forward planning and data-driven decision-making.
- Monitor supplier and product performance, ensuring timely delivery, strong sell-through, and decisive action to address performance issues and maximise commercial outcomes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Marketing, Sales, and Personal Shopping to deliver the right product proposition, customer experience, brand image, and product knowledge across all channels.
- Lead, coach, and develop an Assistant Buyer and Buyers Admin, providing performance management, training, coaching, to build a high-performing, engaged team.
- Significant, demonstrable experience operating at either a Junior Buyer or Buyer level within a multi-brand, luxury retail environment.
- Proven commercial experience of trading in a fast-paced and reactive environment.
- Proven track record of creating positive impact on business through buying strategy.
- Proven track record of networking and negotiation skills.
- Good judgement and decision-making skills.
- Confidence in suggesting calculated risks.
- Strong analytical and IT skills.
- Exceptional people management experience.
- Performance bonus schemes dependent on the type of role you are in.
- A pension that both you and the company contribute to.
- A portal with an array of discounts on things like theme park and cinema tickets.
- Our famous staff discount along with exclusive staff sales.
- Private healthcare for you.
- Flexible working.
Experience is an equal opportunities employer, we encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We recognize and celebrate the benefits that diversity brings to our workplace, our business and our customers. We welcome and will consider all applications regardless of race and nationality, religion, color, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Buyer @MRPORTER in London employer: LuxExperience
At NET-A-PORTER, we pride ourselves on being a leading luxury fashion destination that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our Westfield office in London offers a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, supported by a dedicated team of experts. With competitive benefits including flexible working, private healthcare, and exclusive staff discounts, we are committed to your professional growth and well-being, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about digital media in the luxury sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer @MRPORTER 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 LuxExperience, 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 LuxExperience!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer @MRPORTER in London
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 LuxExperience, 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 LuxExperience 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 LuxExperience that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at LuxExperience
✨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!
