Senior Buyer - Intimates (12 Months Maternity Cover) in Manchester

N Brown is a leading UK digital retail platform for clothing, footwear, home and technology, headquartered in Manchester and employing over 1,200 people nationwide. Through our strategic retail brands JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be and our unique payments offering, we exist to champion inclusivity and serve the underserved. Our customers are our passion, and we take great pride in delivering products that ensure they can look and feel amazing, without compromising on choice, value and accessibility.

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by championing inclusion, we will become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

The role involves planning, sourcing, developing and selecting a commercial and successful range. The Senior Buyer must use their knowledge and expertise to understand our customers' wants and needs and create a strong multi-channel offering, whilst taking into account budgets and margin requirements. Overall, the Senior Buyer's role is to build a range which both meets and exceeds the customers' expectations, whilst maximising profits and revenue.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the buying process for the Lingerie category, delivering a customer-focused, commercially balanced and trend-led product range that reflects brand strategy and meets customer demand.
• Implement innovative product category strategies and maximise performance & KPIs across multiple product areas.
• Review competition to ensure our product proposition is in line with the market across all key areas: fashion trend, price, quality and availability.
• Demonstrate a strong passion for product and drive category performance as product expert within Lingerie.
• Manage a team ranging from BAAs to Buyers, Junior Buyers and ensure you are leading the category.
• Work closely with Senior Merchandiser to drive department sales and strategy.
• Lead sign-offs and strategy meetings, presenting product vision, trend direction, customer insight and commercial strategy.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, leading supplier strategy for your department.
• Travel regularly within the UK and internationally to source product and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Collaborate with Marketing, E-commerce and Creative teams to shape product storytelling across all channels.
• Support the Head of Buying on strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Drive department KPIs, delivering margin and profit through strategic planning.
• Recruit, select and support team members and line manage by setting performance objectives.

Skills and Experience:

• Relevant experience ideally from a leading retailer at Senior Buyer level.
• Experience in buying Lingerie product.
• Creativity and the ability to recognise future trends.
• Strong negotiation skills and excellent commercial awareness.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills in all formats including presenting.
• Leadership qualities and the ability to influence others.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office (particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel).

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid working (2-3 days in the office at a minimum).
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays).
• Annual bonus scheme.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave.
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution.
• Mental Health support including access to wellbeing champions and counselling services.
• A range of financial wellbeing support.
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands.
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts.
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance.
• Paid volunteer time for charity work.

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you are in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre.