At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead buying strategies and shape the commercial direction of our activewear range.
- Company: Join TALA, a fast-growing, female-led activewear brand focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, generous discounts, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to conscious fashion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while promoting sustainable fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Buyer with strong negotiation skills and a passion for activewear.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
About the Role:
TALA, known for activewear that keeps up with busy lifestyles, has been on a rocket ship since its founding in 2019 by entrepreneur Grace Beverley. Powered by a highly engaged, largely organic social community, we’ve evolved into a digital‑first, multichannel women’s athleisure brand with a sophisticated growth and retention engine. In 2025, we accelerated our physical retail expansion with the opening of two London stores, Carnaby Street and Westfield White City, marking a major step in our long‑term brand and community strategy.
We are looking for a Buying Manager (Mat Cover) for a 12-month FTC.
Tasks
What you’ll be doing:
- Strategic Leadership & Commercial Performance
- Shape the commercial direction of the assortment, ensuring the range has a coherent identity and a credible growth trajectory.
- Set and own multi-season category strategy, with a clear commercial point of view across assortment, pricing and depth.
- Lead senior level supplier negotiations securing strategic commercial outcomes across key accounts.
- Set strategic margin direction for all categories, establishing targets and ensuring they are delivered for the season.
- Range Planning & Product Development
- Identify trading opportunities across the season, translating insight into specific range and buying decisions.
- Align category mix with the company growth plan, ensuring Buying decisions actively support strategic priorities.
- Own Wholesale readiness and category positioning, ensuring the range is fit for purpose across all routes to market.
- Supplier Management
- Set critical path standards and milestone controls across the buying function, ensuring discipline and consistency.
- Align Buying with Marketing and Brand, ensuring product and campaign calendars are joined up and commercially effective.
- Support and contribute to a supply chain strategy built for TALA’s next stage of commercial growth, including diversification of the supplier base by category and geography, investment in supplier.
Requirements
What we’re looking for:
- Experience working at Senior Buyer level in a fast paced environment.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Womenswear Activewear experience would be beneficial.
- Strategic, commercial and innovative thinker.
- Strong understanding of fashion trend - specifically activewear - and market dynamics.
Benefits
What we can offer:
- 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
- Very generous employee discount after probation period.
- Nominated Friends & Family Discount.
- Clothing allowance spending gift.
- Class Pass or Gym Flex membership.
- Health Shield.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay.
- Charity fundraising match of up to £1,000.
About us:
TALA is an activewear brand built to actively solve problems without creating new ones for people, the planet, or anyone else. Every collection prioritises functionality and thoughtful design, combining premium fabrics with multi-way versatility and flattering fits that deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. Each piece is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring women can look and feel their best with ease.
When founder Grace Beverley shifted from fast fashion to more sustainable options in her everyday clothing, she found a host of responsibly made options in every category other than activewear. Founding TALA in 2019, the proud female-led brand is on a mission to make consciously made active and off-duty styles accessible and inclusive without sacrificing performance or fit.
Buying Manager (12 Month FTC) employer: Tala
TALA is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a vibrant work culture centred around sustainability and fashion. Located in the heart of London on Carnaby Street, our flagship store offers unique employee benefits such as generous discounts and a clothing allowance, alongside ample opportunities for personal and professional growth within the dynamic retail environment. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact in the activewear industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Manager (12 Month FTC)
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Manager (12 Month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Tala:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Tala! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tala
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Tala offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Tala and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
