At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and develop a unique range of accessories that resonate with customers.
- Company: Dune London, a leading affordable luxury brand with a global presence.
- Benefits: 60% employee discount, 25 days holiday, blended working, and team socials.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal development and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of fashion accessories at Dune.
- Qualifications: Experience in fashion buying, strong commercial awareness, and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
About us
Dune London is the leading affordable luxury footwear and accessories brand in the UK, with broad distribution across both the UK and internationally. It has 50 stores in the UK and over 100 in 25 countries around the world. The company is entering a period of sustained growth both through expansion of sales on its online channels and through third party partners both in the UK and globally. Celebrating over 30 years in the industry, the Dune group has built an enviable position as the specialist in quality fashion footwear and accessories which has given it a unique position at the high end of the high street.
About the role
As a Buyer, you will help lead the product strategy, development and delivery of a distinctive, commercial and balanced product range across all markets and channels. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the product offer, ensuring it reflects the Dune brand vision, meets customer needs and delivers against key commercial objectives, including sales, margin, average selling price and stock performance. Working closely with Design, Merchandising and key stakeholders across the business, you will develop and execute clear seasonal product strategies, define range architecture and pricing, and identify opportunities to drive growth and competitive advantage. You will ensure collections are customer-focused, commercially relevant and delivered in line with critical path requirements. As a leader within the Product team, you will inspire and develop a high-performing Buying team, fostering collaboration, accountability and commercial excellence. Through strong leadership and strategic thinking, you will help drive a product culture that supports both business performance and brand ambition.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Product & Range Strategy: Lead the development and delivery of a distinctive, commercially successful product range that reflects the Dune brand and customer needs. Define seasonal product strategies, range architecture and pricing across Retail, Digital, Wholesale and International channels. Identify market trends, customer insights and growth opportunities to drive product innovation and commercial performance. Partner closely with Design and Merchandising to deliver compelling, customer-focused collections.
- Commercial Performance: Own departmental performance, delivering sales, margin, ASP and stock targets. Analyse trading performance and market trends to maximise opportunities and mitigate risk. Drive growth across categories, channels and markets through strategic product decisions.
- Supplier & Critical Path Management: Build and manage strong supplier partnerships, negotiating to achieve the best balance of quality, cost, margin and lead times. Oversee the Buying critical path, ensuring products are delivered on time and to the required standards. Support continuous improvements in processes and speed to market.
- Stakeholder Management & Communication: Present seasonal strategies and product ranges to senior stakeholders with confidence and credibility. Communicate product vision, key opportunities and commercial priorities across the business. Act as a passionate ambassador for the Dune brand and product strategy.
- Leadership & Team Development: Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Buying team. Foster a collaborative, commercially focused culture across Buying, Design and Merchandising. Drive high standards, accountability and succession planning within the team.
EXPERIENCE / SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Significant fashion buying experience, with strong Handbags & Accessories expertise.
- Strong commercial awareness, product instinct and creative judgement.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver successful, commercial ranges.
- Strong understanding of sales, margin, ASP, stock and profitability.
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills, with experience of global sourcing.
- Decisive and confident, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage risk and make sound commercial decisions.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate trading performance into clear actions.
- Excellent communication, influencing and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
- Highly organised, with strong planning, prioritisation and critical path management skills.
- Collaborative and able to build strong relationships across Design, Merchandising and the wider business.
- Passionate about fashion, product and the Dune brand.
About the perks:
- Blended working – spreading your time across our office and remote working.
- Sustainable office in bustling West London (near Westfield).
- Friendly and open culture with flat structures allowing plenty of opportunity for development.
- Company growth and opportunity; Dune is evolving all the time.
- Open-minded company, welcoming thoughts and ideas to be shared.
- Working with charitable organisations to help raise funds and give something back. Our current charity partner is Mental Health UK.
- 60% employee discount on Dune products – what’s not to love!
- 25 days holiday (plus the bank holidays).
- Cycle2work.
- Company pension scheme.
- Life assurance for all team members.
- We look after our people.
- 3.00 p.m. finish every pay day Friday!
- Team socials and drinks – we like to have fun!
- Access to our employee assistance programme, retailTRUST, who provide loads of resources to support with wellbeing and personal development offer free counselling legal advice and financial guidance.
- Our own Wellbeing Allies – there to talk when you need them.
What happens next?
We will take a good look at your application and if we don’t feel we are right for you, we’ll make sure we let you know but sadly we are not able to give tailored feedback. If we are excited to find out more about you, we will give you a call and arrange to talk. A few things that might help: Research the brand, the role, your interviewer on LinkedIn; browse our website; and visit a store if you can. Make sure you have plenty of examples to show off all your amazing skills and experience relevant to this role.
Accessories Buyer employer: The Dune Group
Dune is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and friendly culture that fosters personal growth and development. As a family business with over 25 years of experience, we provide our Store Managers in Gretna with ample opportunities for progression, a competitive bonus scheme, and a generous employee discount, all while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a team that values your voice and celebrates success together!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accessories Buyer
✨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 The Dune Group, 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 The Dune Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Accessories Buyer
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 The Dune Group, 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 The Dune Group 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 The Dune Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Dune Group
✨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!
