Junior Buyer Menswear in London

Junior Buyer Menswear in London

London Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
White Stuff

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop and select menswear products to maximise sales and meet customer needs.
  • Company: Join White Stuff, a vibrant brand known for its unique designs and collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, discounts, and health benefits.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of menswear fashion.
  • Qualifications: Experience in menswear buying and a keen eye for contemporary fashion.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

Who we are: 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 prints (all designed in house), 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 like-minded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

Who you are: A Junior Buyer with clear track record of delivering positive product and sales performance across e-comm and retail channels. You’ll be self-motivated individual, capable of driving product performance at pace. And you’ll have a passion for product and an eye for detail.

Primary objective of the job: As a Menswear Junior Buyer, you will strategically develop and select a product range which maximises sales opportunities and anticipates and exceeds customer needs. The role includes sourcing product, negotiating cost prices which meet financial targets and market position, all whilst ensuring products meet the company quality and safety standards. You will have the ability to manage multiple product categories varying lead times.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Range Development
    • Work with the Design team to ensure the inspirational range balance is achieved across multiple department and product categories.
    • Develop a commercial range taking into consideration the supply chain process.
    • Provide commercial balance between aesthetics and financial targets, working closely with the Merchandising function.
    • Understand and evaluate the capabilities of supplier base whilst anticipating future sourcing requirements.
    • Understand buying calendar of a multi-channel business.
    • Research and react to relevant competitors.
    • Work collaboratively with the menswear senior buyer to ensure development of a cohesive menswear range.
  • Commercial Acumen
    • Monitor the sales performance weekly to evaluate and propose and implement any actions that need to be taken, maximising growth areas while managing risk.
    • Clear understanding of the commercial drivers of the business, relating these to the product strategy from design concept to delivery.
    • Make decisions in context of correct commercial balance between aesthetics and profit without compromising brand values.
    • Negotiating prices to deliver target margin for area of responsibility.
    • Ability to agree and set delivery dates in line with the critical path and be aware of key milestones.
    • Prepare initial outlines for range plan, keeping in mind the complex needs of a multi-channel business.
    • Excellent range planning skills, working closely with Merchandise and Design functions.
    • Working with Production and Garment Techs to deliver product that adheres to brand quality standards.
    • Responsible for the entire fit sealing process ensuring it coincides with the critical path.

What you’ll need:

  • Relevant buying experience in menswear clothing.
  • An eye for appropriate contemporary fashion with an ability to contribute and drive the product development, working closely with the Design team to identify trends and opportunities.
  • High degree of buying knowledge and expertise.
  • The ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Highly flexible with the ability to manage several activities simultaneously.
  • Commitment, drive, and self-motivation.
  • Shows initiative and is proactive with decision making.
  • Proven ability to manage junior members of the team to deliver high function working.

What we will offer you: As a Junior Buyer at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

  • Hybrid working - 4 days in the office.
  • Annual bonus opportunity.
  • Up to 33 days holiday per annum.
  • 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.

Junior Buyer Menswear in London employer: White Stuff

WHITE STUFF is an excellent employer that fosters a vibrant work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to training and development opportunities while enjoying generous benefits like a quarterly bonus and up to 25 days of holiday each year. Join us in the North Central area, where your leadership can make a meaningful impact across our stores in Beverley and Manchester.

White Stuff

Contact Details:

White Stuff Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Menswear in London

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 White Stuff, 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 White Stuff!

We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer Menswear in London

Buying Experience in Menswear
Product Development
Trend Analysis
Negotiation Skills
Commercial Acumen
Range Planning
Communication Skills

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 White Stuff, 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 White Stuff 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 White Stuff that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at White Stuff

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!