Junior Buyer
Leeds / Hybrid
We are looking for a Junior Buyer to take ownership of Accessories, Nightwear and Swimwear categories. This is a hands-on buying role with responsibility for both product selection and product development, working closely with Design, Merchandising, QC, Marketing and E-Commerce teams to deliver exciting, commercial ranges that resonate with the customer.
You will be responsible for managing your own product areas end-to-end, building strong supplier relationships, translating trends into commercial product, and driving sales and profit through well-planned, well-executed ranges.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of sourcing, developing and selecting product ranges across your categories
- Build, maintain and develop strong, effective supplier relationships
- Lead product development from concept through to delivery, managing the critical path and key deadlines
- Create and implement range plans and category strategies in line with brand direction and customer needs
- Monitor stock performance against KPIs and manage OTB accordingly
- Analyse trade, sales and margin performance, identifying risks and opportunities
- Contribute to planning, trade and sales meetings with clear, data-driven insight
- Communicate key information clearly to senior stakeholders, including Buyers, Head of Buying and Directors
- Identify growth opportunities within your categories through trend analysis and competitor benchmarking
- Translate relevant trends into commercially viable product appropriate for the brand
- Liaise closely with Merchandising, QC, Creative, Marketing and E-Commerce teams to maximise product performance
- Support marketing and e-commerce activity to drive online sales
- Carry out regular competitor analysis and market research
- Attend buying trips and relevant trade fairs in the UK and internationally as required
- Develop a growing understanding of trading across all departments
About You
Experience
- Experience at Senior Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer level within a fashion buying team
- Background in women’s clothing and/or accessories buying
- Experience of being responsible for your own product areas is desirable
- Strong understanding of critical path management
- Confident analysing sales, margin and stock data
- Experience working cross-functionally with QC, Merchandising, Creative and Marketing
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships
- Negotiation experience
- Good market and competitor knowledge
Desirable:
- Experience with a variety of supplier bases (direct, landed, global sourcing)
- Experience of range building and departmental strategy
- Attendance at relevant trade fairs