At a Glance
- Tasks: Own demand planning, purchasing, and inventory management for a fast-growing activewear brand.
- Company: Thrivin, a dynamic global activewear brand in the ecommerce space.
- Benefits: Autonomy, visibility into business performance, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rapidly scaling company and shape future strategies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in apparel planning or buying, with strong analytical and commercial skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Thrivin is a fast-growing global activewear brand operating in a high-volume, fast-paced ecommerce environment.
As we continue to scale internationally, we're looking for an experienced
Demand Planner & Buyer to take ownership of our demand planning, purchasing and inventory management across the business.
This is a highly hands-on role for someone who is commercially sharp, analytical and comfortable taking full ownership.
You'll play a critical role in ensuring we have the right product, in the right quantities, at the right time, balancing availability, inventory health and commercial performance.
The Role
As Demand Planner & Buyer, you will own the planning and buying process from sales forecasting and open-to-buy management through to purchase order placement, replenishment and inventory optimisation.
You'll work closely with the wider product, operations and commercial teams, providing clear recommendations and insights to support trading decisions and future growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the open-to-buy (OTB) by category , including sales forecasts, receipt plans and monthly plan vs. actual performance.
- Run the bi-weekly replenishment cycle end-to-end , from analysing demand and stock requirements through to PO submission.
- Determine newness buy quantities at style, colour and size level , ensuring buys are aligned with launch dates, expected demand and commercial targets.
- Own the full purchase order lifecycle , including PO creation, submission, amendments, invoice reconciliation, ETA tracking and supplier follow-ups.
- Own inventory management across categories, maintaining healthy stock levels and strong size availability and in-stock rates .
- Monitor inventory performance and proactively identify potential stock risks, shortages and excess inventory.
- Own markdown and overstock actions , recommending commercially appropriate strategies to optimise sell-through and inventory health.
- Analyse key planning and trading metrics including weeks of cover, sell-through, size curves, gross margin, discount rate and in-stock performance.
- Deliver the planning read and key insights during weekly and monthly trade reviews .
- Work directly with suppliers on proforma invoices, MOQs, lead times, purchase orders and delivery timelines.
- Identify discrepancies, risks and unusual data points early and investigate them before they impact buying or inventory decisions.
- Continuously improve planning processes, reporting and ways of working as Thrivin scales.
About You
We're looking for someone who has personally owned planning and buying decisions within an apparel environment. You won't simply have supported an OTB or PO process, you'll have been directly accountable for it.
Experience & Technical Skills
5+ years' experience within apparel planning, merchandising, buying or a closely related field, ideally within a high-volume ecommerce or retail environment.
- Previous management or leadership experience is preferred.
- Demonstrable experience personally owning an open-to-buy and making commercial buying decisions.
- Hands-on experience creating and placing purchase orders .
• Strong understanding of planning fundamentals, including
- Weeks of cover
- Sell-through
- Size curves
- In-stock rate / availability
- Gross margin
- Discount rate
- Inventory turn and stock health
- Strong supplier-facing experience, including working with proforma invoices, MOQs, lead times and order chasing .
- Advanced proficiency in
Excel and confidence working with large datasets.
- High proficiency using
Claude Code and/or Claude Cowork to improve efficiency, analysis and workflows.
- Experience within a high-growth DTC, ecommerce, fashion or activewear business would be highly advantageous.
Why Join Thrivin?
This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership of a critical commercial function within a rapidly scaling global ecommerce brand.
You'll have significant autonomy, direct visibility into business performance and the opportunity to help shape how Thrivin approaches demand planning, buying and inventory management as we continue to grow.
Demand Planner & Buyer in Newport employer: Thrivin
At Thrivin, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions growth and inclusivity in the vibrant world of women's activewear. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and creativity, providing ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer competitive benefits and a supportive atmosphere where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planner & Buyer in Newport
✨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 Thrivin, 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 Thrivin!
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planner & Buyer in Newport
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 Thrivin, 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 Thrivin 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 Thrivin that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thrivin
✨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!
