Junior Buyer

Department: Buying

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting in seasonal range plan development - analysing customer buying patterns, forecasting sales and predicting future trends, presenting findings in reports and presentations in a clear and logical format, this will include ratio calculations for size and colour;
• Buying for our key territories which include the UK, EU, NA, AUS and NZ
• Work with your Head of buying to maximize profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices.
• Assisting in regularly reviewing stock, sales and orders and react with necessary urgency to ensure sales, stock & profit targets are achieved;
• Maintaining relationships with suppliers.
• Liaising with other departments within the organization to ensure projects are completed;
• Participating in promotional activities, helping the buying and merchandising team to identify slow moving stock, suggesting marks downs or promotions, as well as coordinating promotions and clearance events in store;
• Creating style books for products, identify when to update trim labels, fabrications and packaging, and liaise with graphic designer to ensure a consistent brand image;
• Managing the critical path, monitoring all orders from initial product development through to delivery, ensuring the smooth running of the development process, maintaining delivery schedules and key deadlines throughout;
• Train and mentor the AB and BAA in the team and step in to manage the team in absence of Buyer/Line Manager to meet business requirements and deadlines;
• Managing sample process ensuring all designs and fabrications are executed correctly, meeting brand requirements;
• Working alongside QC when creating style books so that correct specs and CAD’s are received,
• Lab dip and trim approvals and feeding back to suppliers, after collecting fit and quality info from QC.
• Approving PTS, for shipments.
• Attend fit meetings with QC and models, making suggestions on fit, styling, trims etc.., as well as signing off sample
• Opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally for store, supplier visits and trade shows.

We would like to meet someone who is

• You will have relevant experience at Junior Buyer level within a retail chain or equivalent looking for a step up.
• Apparel buying experience is very beneficial.
• Experience of fully managing the critical path for your department
• Commercial approach to business critical decisions
• Be aware of competitors and help to try and keep MW the best value on the high street
• Confident approach to offer suggestions on the type and quantity of product for the department given the budgeted OTB
• Good interpersonal skills – able to build and manage relationships with colleagues and suppliers, communication is key at all times
• Strong IT skills most importantly in Excel or equivalent
• Commercial and keeps up to date and aware of market trends, changes in demand
• Able to fully understand customer needs and demands (e.g. price, quality, availability)
• Strong time management skills and able to prioritize as this is a never-ending job and there will always be more to be done

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
• Holiday allowance
• 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
• Pension scheme