Buyer

Apparel Group - UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group - UAE is seeking an experienced buyer to plan and select the range, type, quality and quantity of merchandise according to customer demand, trends, store policies and budget. You will drive seasonal strategies, manage OTB, and negotiate with suppliers to optimize margins while ensuring timely delivery.

Close collaboration with Marketing and VM is essential to execute product initiatives. The role requires strong analytical skills, vendor management and a proven track record in

Qualifications

• Experience in buying and assortment planning within fashion/retail.
• Ability to analyse trends and translate into range plans.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Carry out buying activities in-line with brand buying plans.
• Maintain profitable relationships with suppliers and monitor contract terms.
• Drive seasonal strategies and formulate Gross Margin Plan.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and freight with suppliers to place orders.
• Manage OTB and seasonal range build; coordinate with Marketing/VM.

Skills

Buying strategy

Supplier negotiations

Forecasting

Merchandise planning

Market trends

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION OBJECTIVE - Plan and select the range, type, quality and quantity of merchandise according to customer demand, trends, store policies and set prices and sell through targets in conjunction with the Brand Manager/GM to ensure they are in line with the budget

• Carry out buying activities in-line with the brand buying plans
• Maintain profitable relationships with existing suppliers and monitor the adherence to the contract terms

Key Responsibilities

Business Strategy

• Drive the seasonal strategies in line with the brand positioning to formulate Gross Margin Plan
• Develop a fine tuned assortment and investment plan
• Create the sourcing development plan and action the critical path to deliver timely
• Negotiate with new suppliers on product pricing, payment terms, cost of freight, provision of training, and the extent of their involvement in advertising and promotions, to decide on placing a purchase order with the supplier for the concerned product
• OTB Planning
• Manage OTB in tandem with the planning counterpart
• Deliver the seasonal business strategy by monitoring and impacting the critical path, range building and product selection
• Prepare and manage the buying calendar
• Formulate seasonal product focus plan with Marketing and VM to drive key product initiatives
• Focus on holding current business and build new categories
• Conducting customer focus groups and competitive shopping

Performance and Operations

• Analysis and reporting of weekly sales performance at style, range, category and business unit level against range plan. Take in season action to revise production flows and maximize sales
• Manage TNA plans
• Implement the buying calendar for timely seasonal analysis and range build
• Perform regular competitor surveys to identify product gaps, influence lessons learnt and range plans
• Manage range and product hierarchy and create the seasonal phasing plan
• Responsible for the The Look for the season. Influence product selection, in-store VM as per guidelines and layout planning
• Keep abrest of market trends and awareness of competitor activities
• Manage the product training of staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge. Prepare regular trends training and deliver to the business units
• Review buying feedback reports and provide recommendations to General Manager as to buying strategy for a respective brand/collection