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 York 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 York
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like Thrivin are looking for when hiring for a Demand Planner & Buyer.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to Thrivin for the Demand Planner & Buyer, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on e-commerce conferences and workshops in your area. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge, but networking with industry professionals could lead to job leads. Plus, if you're keen to work at Thrivin as a Demand Planner & Buyer, rub shoulders with their representatives when possible!
✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out Thrivin’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Demand Planner & Buyer.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planner & Buyer in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at Thrivin, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just reiterate your CV; it’s your chance to showcase your passion for e-commerce and how it aligns with Thrivin's goals. Mention specific projects or achievements that relate to the role, and don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where you can make a tangible impact.
Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at Thrivin. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thrivin
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that Thrivin uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
✨Technical Questions: Prep for the Specifics
Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at Thrivin. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
