At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and select trendy footwear and bags while maximising sales opportunities.
- Company: Join White Stuff, a vibrant brand known for its unique designs and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead and inspire a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values innovation and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in footwear and bags with a keen eye for fashion trends.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea.
This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women’s and men’s clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware.
Our original, and internally created prints, intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.
Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward.
We’re sociable, talented and likeminded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business.
We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.
Who you are
This is a 6 months FTC position to start in mid February.
An experienced Footwear and Bags Buyer with clear track record of delivering positive product and sales performance across e Commerce and retail channels.
You’ll be self-motivated individual, capable of driving product performance and change at pace.
You’ll naturally have a passion for product and an eye for detail.
Must have technical experience in leather footwear and bags.
Product areas will also cover jewellery, sunglasses and belts.
Primary objective of the job
As a Footwear and Bags Buyer you will develop and select seasonal product ranges which maximize sales opportunities, anticipates and exceeds customer needs and reflects market trends.
The role includes range development, strategic negotiation to achieve financial targets and strengthen market position, whilst ensuring all products meets reflects the brand values and adheres to all quality and safety standards.
What you’ll be doing
- Range Development
- Work with the design and merchandising team to ensure the range development meets all product strategic pillars from innovation, detail, margin through to quality and sustainability.
- Provides commercial balance between aesthetics and financial targets.
- Understanding capabilities of supplier base and develops a commercial range taking into consideration the supply chain process and economic conditions.
- Able to identify and implements new product opportunities at right pace.
- Effectively manages the critical path to manage all sales channels whilst considering agility.
- Actively reviews both aspirational and competitor activity, utilising insight to shape ranges.
- Commercial
- Monitors the sales performance weekly to evaluate, propose and implement any actions that need to maximise growth, whilst managing risk.
- Clear understanding of the commercial drivers of the business, relating these drivers across the supply chain from design to delivery.
- Effectively leads and manages the sign off process with heads of and directors from diarising, preparation, and clear articulation of range build to meet KPI’s across all channel requirements from assortment needs to grading and ranking.
- Make decisions in context of correct commercial balance between aesthetics and profit without compromising brand
- Manages and delivers target margin for area of responsibility
- Oversees and ensures all product order management information is set up correctly on internal systems and cascaded to the supply base as required.
- Planning
- Prepare initial outlines for range plan, keeping in mind the complex needs, and varying timescales of a multi-channel business.
- Excellent range planning skills, working closely with merchandise and design teams to optimise product assortment.
- Process and Critical Path Management
- Support team in creating and managing a robust departmental critical path.
- Accountable for timely deliveries of all milestones and touchpoints within critical path.
- Ensure all product approvals at all stages are managed effectively from concept to delivery into DC.
- Ensure that all marketing and e Commerce collateral is correct and up to date in accordance with business requirements.
- Ensure 100% on time delivery of accurate salesman, product & shoot samples.
- Quality Control
- Effectively manages the quality assurance process partnering with internal technologists and supply base.
- Responsible for the entire fit sealing process ensuring it coincides with the critical path and products are sealed in line with the commercial strategy of the Brand.
- Works with Technical team to monitor and evaluate quality performance of supply base.
- People Management
- Lead by example and communicate with clarity and consistency with direct and indirect teams.
- Ensure team is fully functioning and that cross functional relationships are built and maintained.
- Train and develop individual team members to improve their individual capabilities and deliver functional expertise.
- Evaluate team performance on a regular basis via clear and achievable objectives to ensure focus on succession planning.
What you’ll need
- Must have technical experience in footwear and bags
- Technical expertise in leather fabrication, construction, and production
- Keen eye for contemporary fashion and understanding of trends relevant to the brand.
- An ability to influence and drive the product development cycle, working closely with the design team to identify and deliver on all opportunities.
- High degree of buying knowledge and expertise encompassing strategic thinking, commercial acumen, negotiation and creativity.
- Extensive experience of managing a global supply base with direct sourcing relationships across multi product.
- The ability to inspire, influence and communicate effectively at all levels.
- Solution based, shows initiative and is proactive.
- Strong commercial awareness of target customer aesthetics and lifestyle needs.
- Ability to independently multi-task across multiple product areas.
- Commitment, drive, passion and self-motivation
What we will offer you
- Annual bonus opportunity
- Up to 25 days holiday per annum
- Hybrid working with 3 to 4 days in the office
- 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community
- 50% discount
- Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance
- Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Pension Contribution
We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves.
Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age
- #LI-Hybrid
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Buyer/ Senior Buyer (Footwear & Bags) - 6 month... Buying · White Stuff Head Office, London · employer: White Stuff
At White Stuff, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive employer where creativity thrives. As a Senior Graphic Designer, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, with opportunities for personal growth and development. Located in a dynamic retail environment, we offer competitive benefits including hybrid working, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to community engagement, making us an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer/ Senior Buyer (Footwear & Bags) - 6 month... Buying · White Stuff Head Office, 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 Buyer/ Senior Buyer (Footwear & Bags) - 6 month... Buying · White Stuff Head Office, 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 White Stuff:Don’t forget to personalise your application for White Stuff! 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 White Stuff
✨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 White Stuff 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 White Stuff and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
