Buyer - Trend Brands

Target; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team member discounts

Flexible hybrid work

OnePass membership

Benefits program discounts

Bonus program

Free onsite parking

Parental leave

Circle In support

Mentor program

Kudos program

Share purchase option

Job summary

Target Australia Pty. Ltd. is seeking a commercially driven Buyer Trend Brands to shape and grow our branded apparel.

You will own category strategy, curate a portfolio with third-party brands, and translate global fashion movements into commercial ranges that attract customers. You will work with Planning, Design, Marketing, Online, Sourcing and Quality to bring the branded proposition to life across channels.

Qualifications

• Proven specialty and/or branded fashion buying experience.
• Experience buying and managing third-party brands.
• Understanding of Australian and international fashion and branded apparel.
• Passion for fashion, trend, product and brands.
• Experience developing seasonal ranges and assortments.
• Experience in sales, margin, stock turn and pricing management.
• Strong supplier and brand-partner relationship skills.
• Ability to balance creative fashion instinct with data and commercial analysis.
• Ability to translate trend and customer insight into a buy that performs.

Responsibilities

• Own the Trend Brands buy ship by developing seasonal buying strategies.
• Curate an exciting portfolio of specialty and third-party brands.
• Identify emerging trends and translate insights into commercially successful product assortments.
• Develop range architecture balancing brands and price points.
• Own product selection and buy with Planning to build seasonal financial plans.
• Build relationships with third-party suppliers and brands.
• Lead negotiations across cost, terms, MOQs, delivery timelines.
• Identify opportunities for exclusive capsules and brand launches.
• Trade the range using sales and customer insights to chase opportunities.

Skills

Brand buying experience

Third-party brands

Fashion trend knowledge

Creative with data

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Commercial acumen

Customer insight

Fast pace decision making

Communication skills

Brand partnerships

Mercantile mindset

Job description

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Who are we?

At Target, we deliver quality products at prices the whole family will love for longer. We’re home to quality pieces, made for you and your life.

With our iconic logo, we are one of the most renowned Australian retail brands and for almost 100 years, we have held a special place in the hearts and minds of Australian families.

Join the team

Are you a commercially driven fashion Buyer with a passion for brands, product and discovering what’s next ? We have an exciting opportunity to join Target as our Buyer Trend Brands , playing a key role in shaping and growing our branded apparel proposition.
This role is all about bringing new, relevant and distinctive specialty brands into Target that complement and enhance our existing apparel offer, attract new customers and deliver genuinely incremental sales.
You’ll combine strong specialty and branded buying experience with an instinct for fashion, emerging trends and customer behaviour. You’ll understand what brands are gaining momentum, what products customers are searching for, and how to translate those insights into commercially successful ranges.
Working closely with third-party brands and suppliers, you’ll identify and introduce new brand opportunities, build strong strategic partnerships and curate assortments that feel fresh, compelling and differentiated. You’ll own the category strategy, striking the right balance between commercial performance and rapid trend adoption .
Through distinctive product, compelling brands, considered range architecture and consistent execution, you’ll help create an even more inspiring apparel destination for Target customers. The role builds on Target's broader Buyer remit across range development, sourcing, financial performance, supplier management, negotiation and cross-functional partnership.

What you’ll be doing

• Own the Trend Brands buy ship developing and executing seasonal buying strategies that align with Target’s customer, brand and commercial objectives.
• Curate an exciting portfolio of specialty and third-party brands , identifying emerging and established labels that complement our existing apparel ranges and bring something genuinely new to Target.
• Stay deeply connected to global fashion movements, social media, youth culture, competitor activity and emerging consumer trends , identifying opportunities before they become mainstream.
• Translate trend, market and customer insights into commercially successful product assortments that create excitement and drive incremental sales.
• Develop considered range architecture , balancing brands, categories, product, price points, options and depth to create a cohesive customer proposition.
• Own product selection and the buy, working closely with Planning to build seasonal financial plans and effectively manage Open-to-Buy, sales, margin, stock turn and inventory productivity .
• Build strong relationships with third-party suppliers, brands, agents and distributors , establishing Target as a valued retail partner.
• Lead commercial negotiations across cost, margin, MOQs, volume, trading terms, delivery timelines and quality expectations to achieve the best outcome for Target and our customers.
• Identify opportunities for exclusive capsules, product drops, differentiated assortments and new brand launches that give customers another reason to shop Target.
• Trade the range throughout the season, using sales, sell-through, customer and digital insights to identify emerging winners, chase opportunities and respond quickly when trends change.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, pricing and customer behaviour to identify opportunities for product innovation, new brands and future category growth.
• Partner closely with Planning, Design, Marketing, Online, Sourcing, Quality and other merchandise teams to bring the branded proposition to life consistently across channels. Cross-functional collaboration is a core element of the Buyer PD.
• Continually assess brand and supplier performance, making clear commercial decisions about where to invest, grow, optimise or exit .
• Maintain a relentless focus on the customer while delivering against key commercial measures including sales, profitability, margin and stock performance .

To be successful in this role you’ll have

• Proven specialty and/or branded fashion buying experience , ideally within apparel, a multi-brand retailer, department store, specialty fashion retailer or fashion ecommerce environment.
• Demonstrated experience buying and managing third-party brands , rather than solely developing private-label or own-brand product.
• A strong understanding of the Australian and international fashion and branded apparel landscape , with genuine curiosity about emerging brands and changing customer preferences.
• A passion for fashion, trend, product and brands , with an ability to identify what is gaining momentum and translate that into a compelling commercial opportunity.
• Strong experience developing seasonal ranges and assortments , with a clear understanding of range architecture, product mix, price architecture and option planning.
• Excellent commercial acumen and confidence managing sales, OTB, margin, stock turn, sell-through and pricing .
• Strong supplier and brand-partner relationship skills, with proven capability negotiating cost, terms, volume and delivery outcomes .
• The ability to balance creative fashion instinct with data and commercial analysis , making confident buying decisions based on both customer insight and performance.
• A strong understanding of the customer and the ability to translate trend and customer insight into a buy that performs . This trend-plus-commercial capability is also prominent in the current Australian fashion-buyer market.
• The confidence to operate at pace, take calculated commercial risks and react quickly to changing trends and trading performance.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships internally and externally.
• A highly collaborative approach and the confidence to work across multiple functions to deliver a consistent customer proposition.
• A results-driven, innovative and commercially curious mindset , aligned with the key capabilities identified in the Buyer PD.

Most importantly, you’ll know brands. You’ll understand what makes a specialty brand desirable, what makes it commercially successful and how the right branded offer can bring new customers into Target .

Benefits we’ll offer:

• Flexible hybrid working options through our Flex Where, Flex When, Flex Well policy.
• Access to our team member discount program which can be used across our company network, including Target, Kmart, Bunnings, and Officeworks.
• A free OnePass membership offering free delivery across Target and Kmart on eligible product.
• Access to our benefits program, which entitles you to exclusive discounts and benefits in the areas of entertainment, travel, lifestyle, and health, with over 60 suppliers.
• We want you to feel rewarded for your commitment and hard work, that's why there is opportunity for eligible team members to participate in a bonus program.
• Free onsite parking when you’re required to come into the office.
• We offer inclusive parental leave and ongoing support through our partnership with Circle In for team members of all backgrounds and family circumstances.
• A dynamic learning and support program.
• Opportunity to fast-track your career through our Mentor Program as a Mentee or Mentor.
• Kudos recognition program, where you are nominated by your peers to spin a wheel, to win a stack of cool prizes.
• Wesfarmers is Kmart and Target’s parent company, and each year, eligible employees can elect to purchase shares through a salary sacrifice arrangement.
• Great career opportunities across the broader Wesfarmers Group.

A place you can belong
We celebrate the rich diversity of the communities in which we operate. We are committed to creating inclusive and safe environments where all our team members can contribute and succeed. We believe that all team members should feel valued, respected, and safe, and strive to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and welcoming, with applications encouraged from all candidates.
We encourage you to tell us about any workplace adjustments that you would like by emailing [e-mail] .