At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage buying for Knitwear, Footwear, and Accessories while driving product development.
- Company: The Fold, a British womenswear brand redefining modern luxury workwear.
- Benefits: 33 days holiday, employee discounts, financial wellbeing support, and regular social events.
- Why this job: Gain ownership in a dynamic role with opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a passion for fashion; knitwear experience is a plus.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a vibrant office culture in Bermondsey.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
The Fold is a British womenswear brand redefining modern luxury workwear for today’s career woman. With a multi-channel presence led by e-commerce and with 2 London stores in Chelsea and the City, we’ve built a loyal global following particularly in the UK and US. We’re ready for further international growth expanding our mission to empower women worldwide.
Role Purpose: Take on the Knitwear, Footwear and Accessories departments. With strong knitwear expertise, the Junior Buyer will own the end-to-end buying and trading of these categories while playing a key role in the day-to-day running of the department, ensuring operational excellence and timely delivery. Reporting into the Senior Buyer, this role offers significant ownership and autonomy, alongside strategic oversight, mentoring, and final sign-off. The Junior Buyer will also support the management of the Assistant Buyer, ensuring departmental tasks are delivered efficiently and to deadline.
Areas of responsibility:
- Range Development
- Own and manage the buying of Knitwear, Footwear and Accessories, delivering commercially successful and on-brand ranges.
- Lead seasonal range planning, option counts, pricing architecture, and product development.
- Drive knitwear development, including yarn selection, fabrication, fit, and construction.
- Manage supplier relationships and negotiate cost prices in line with margin targets.
- Present seasonal ranges, trade updates, and strategic proposals to Management and wider teams.
- Act as the category expert for knitwear, keeping up to date with yarn innovation, knit techniques, and market trends.
- Conduct regular competitor analysis to inform range and trading decisions.
- Ensure all products align with The Fold London’s quality, sustainability, and brand standards.
- Work with the Assistant Buyer to manage the critical path for Knitwear, Footwear and Accessories, achieving the business KPI for on time deliveries.
- Trading & Commercial Performance
- Take ownership of sales, margin, intake, and stock performance across the departments.
- Analyse weekly and seasonal trading, identifying re-buy, repeat, and manage risks.
- Manage markdown and stock optimisation strategies in collaboration with Merchandising.
- Department Management & Team Support
- Support the day-to-day management of the Assistant Buyer, ensuring clear prioritisation and delivery of Buying tasks.
- Oversee departmental workflows including meeting preparation, reporting, system updates and follow-ups.
- Work with the Assistant Buyer to ensure shoot samples, press samples, and internal review samples arrive on time and to standard, reporting back to Product Director and Senior Buyer.
- Act as the point of accountability for day-to-day department deliverables, escalating issues to the Senior Buyer where appropriate.
- Work closely with Production, Design, Merchandising, Marketing, and E-commerce to ensure deadlines are met.
About you:
- Strong knitwear buying experience and technical knowledge (preferable but not essential).
- Confident managing priorities, timelines, and junior team members.
- Strong commercial, analytical, and negotiation skills.
- Comfortable taking ownership and accountability for departments.
- Organised, proactive, and solutions-focused.
- Clear communicator with confidence to lead day-to-day operations.
Benefits & Perks of working with The Fold:
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays - that’s 33 days!
- Buy additional holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial wellbeing platform.
- Pension scheme.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for pension & childcare.
- Enhanced maternity pay.
- Yearly gift voucher of £1,250.
- A friends and family discount policy with 50% off full retail price.
- Bike to work scheme, save on the cost of bikes and equipment.
- Eye Care.
- Summer Friday hours.
- Fully stocked snack cupboards, fruits and coffee & tea.
- Regular Social Events - including summer and Christmas parties.
- Volunteering.
To Apply, please send your CV to careers@thefoldlondon.com. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to those that are successful to the next stage.
Diversity and Inclusion: We promote a diverse and inclusive workplace which harnesses the benefits of the diversity of our team and strives to represent the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to establish an environment that attracts individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and talents, empowering them to contribute their best and authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from those who share our commitment to fostering this inclusive and authentic work culture.
Junior Buyer in London employer: The Fold London
Contact Detail:
The Fold London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Fold and its products. Understand their brand values and be ready to discuss how your skills in knitwear buying can contribute to their mission of empowering women.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Junior Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage supplier relationships. Role-play scenarios with friends to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of The Fold's journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Junior Buyer role. Highlight your knitwear expertise and any relevant buying experience. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for knitwear, footwear, and accessories, and explain why you’re excited about joining The Fold. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves trading and commercial performance, be sure to mention any experience you have with sales analysis or stock management. We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical prowess!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Fold London
✨Know Your Knitwear
As a Junior Buyer, having a strong understanding of knitwear is crucial. Brush up on the latest trends, yarn innovations, and construction techniques. Be prepared to discuss how these elements can influence buying decisions and product development during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
The role requires strong commercial and analytical skills. Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform buying decisions in the past. Bring examples of how you've analysed sales performance or managed stock optimisation strategies to demonstrate your capability.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
You'll be supporting the Assistant Buyer, so it's important to show your leadership potential. Think of examples where you've successfully managed priorities or mentored junior team members. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure tasks are delivered efficiently.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Negotiating with suppliers is a key part of the job. Be ready to discuss your negotiation strategies and any successful outcomes you've achieved. Consider role-playing potential scenarios with a friend to build your confidence before the interview.