At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for a trendy womenswear brand and maximise sales.
- Company: Join a dynamic fashion company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to grow in a fast-paced environment with a focus on creativity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while working with passionate teams and top suppliers.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Junior Buyer or Buyer in womenswear and strong team leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Role Purpose
The Buyer is responsible for proposing and gaining agreement on the business plan for their department to create and deliver a profitable, commercial range that maximises sales. This role ensures the product range achieves all profit parameters while providing leadership to the team to ensure skills are improved and performance is maximised.
Role Responsibilities
- Strategy & Range Planning: Plan the range according to future trends, taking into account range construction, pricing architecture, and seasonal variations. Collaborate with the Merchandiser and Designer to review and plan future supplier strategy, identifying sourcing requirements as needed. Continuously review customer profiles across all facets of the business—retail, web, franchise, and wholesale—to develop products accordingly. Create stories, palettes, and key items according to the Design and Buying Trend Critical Path. Negotiate prices and agree on supplier contracts to meet departmental targets.
- Product Quality & Brand Vision: Maintain ownership of OTB, option counts, and pricing structures. Place a high emphasis on product quality, working with Technical teams to analyze returns and take corrective action. Effectively communicate the Buying and Design vision to the wider company through Full Phase Reviews and the creation of style guides for VM. Present product samples in edit and selection meetings to gain commitment to range proposals. Strong supply base.
- Trading & Supplier Management: Manage and attend weekly trade meetings, identifying late buys, missed opportunities, and reacting to sales. Regularly review the range with the Merchandiser to propose repeats, restyling, or cancellations based on commercial performance. Liaise with the supplier base to ensure sampling and cost prices are received on time to meet critical deadlines. Assess supplier capability to deliver on time and within price structures, conducting seasonal SWOT analyses and sourcing new suppliers when necessary. Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers to manage issues such as late deliveries, quality, and costs effectively.
- Team Leadership & Management: Inspire and provide leadership and training to ensure the team is developed and skills are improved. Manage resources and workload effectively, prioritising workflow and conducting regular team reviews to meet deadlines. Coach and develop the team through regular performance appraisals, setting clear objectives and assessing individual performance.
Technical Requirements
Currently working at a Junior Buyer or Buyer level for a womenswear brand. Proven success at buying for your own area with expertise in the desired product category. Proven experience in managing and developing a team. Demonstrates passion and energy to be inspiring to others and deliver improved results. Excellent communication skills and a high level of supplier management expertise. Highly organised with the ability to plan ahead while remaining flexible and reactive to trade. Strong commercial acumen and profit-focused mindset.
Buyer (Love & Roses) employer: Next
As a Buyer at Love & Roses, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career advancement, ensuring you can grow alongside the brand. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a unique blend of professional challenges and a culture that celebrates innovation, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer (Love & Roses)
✨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 Next, 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 Next!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer (Love & Roses)
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 Next, 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 Next 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 Next that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨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!
