Junior Buyer - Non Apparel

Mountain Warehouse is a rapidly growing global retailer, with over 430 stores across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, alongside a strong and expanding online presence.

Since our founding, we’ve built a reputation for offering high-quality outdoor products at great value, supporting customers in enjoying the outdoors wherever they are.

Department

Buying

Location

• London
• Job Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, resourceful, hardworking Junior Buyer – Non Apparel to grow with the company and add value to our team.

An exceptional eye for detail is necessary, as is the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across all areas of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting in seasonal range plan development – analysing customer buying patterns, forecasting sales and predicting future trends, presenting findings in reports and presentations in a clear and logical format, including ratio calculations for size and colour.
• Buying for three key territories which include the UK, EU, North America, NZ and AUS.
• Working with your Head of buying to maximise profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices.
• Assisting in regularly reviewing stock, sales and orders and reacting with necessary urgency to ensure sales, stock & profit targets are achieved.
• Maintaining relationships with suppliers.
• Liaising with other departments within the organisation to ensure projects are completed.
• Participating in promotional activities, helping the buying and merchandising team to identify slow moving stock, suggesting markdowns or promotions, as well as coordinating promotions and clearance events in store.
• Creating style books for products, identifying when to update trim labels, fabrications and packaging, and liaising with the graphic designer to ensure a consistent brand image.
• Managing the critical path, monitoring all orders from initial product development through to delivery, ensuring the smooth running of the development process, maintaining delivery schedules and key deadlines throughout.
• Training and mentoring the AB and BAA in the team and stepping in to manage the team in the absence of the Buyer/Line Manager to meet business requirements and deadlines.
• Managing the sample process ensuring all designs and fabrications are executed correctly, meeting brand requirements.
• Working alongside QC when creating style books so that correct specs and CADs are received.
• Lab dip and trim approvals and feeding back to suppliers after collecting fit and quality information from QC.
• Approving PTS for shipments.
• Attending fit meetings with QC and models, making suggestions on fit, styling, trims, etc., and signing off samples.
• Opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally for store, supplier visits and trade shows.

Requirements

We would like to meet someone who has relevant experience at Senior Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer level within a retail chain or equivalent looking for a step‑up.

Non Apparel buying experience is very beneficial.

• Experience of fully managing the critical path for your department.
• Commercial approach to business critical decisions.
• Being aware of competitors and helping to keep MW the best value on the high street.
• Confident approach to offering suggestions on the type and quantity of product for the department given the budgeted OTB.
• Good interpersonal skills – able to build and manage relationships with colleagues and suppliers; communication is key at all times.
• Strong IT skills, most importantly in Excel or equivalent.
• Keeping up to date and aware of market trends, changes in demand.
• Being able to fully understand customer needs and demands (e. g. price, quality, availability).
• Strong time‑management skills and ability to prioritise as this is a never‑ending job and there will always be more to be done.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working – 3 days in the London‑based office & 2 working from home
• Holiday allowance
• 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
• Pension scheme
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