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 footwear and accessories brand.
- Benefits: 60% employee discount, 25 days holiday, blended working, and team socials.
- Other info: Friendly culture with opportunities for personal development and well-being support.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of fashion accessories.
- Qualifications: Significant fashion buying experience and strong commercial awareness required.
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 in London 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 in London
✨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 Accessories Buyer in London
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 The Dune Group:Don’t forget to personalise your application for The Dune Group! 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 The Dune Group
✨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 The Dune Group 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 The Dune Group and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
