Buyer

JD SPORTS FASHION; Bury; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

JD Sports Fashion in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Buyer to lead the department, shape forward strategy and deliver market-relevant ranges in a fast-paced environment. You will mentor junior team members, partner with brand owners, negotiate with suppliers, manage budgets and OTB, and present performance in trade meetings to drive sales and margins.

This role emphasizes a trend-led mindset, strong presentation skills, and the ability to work independently while forecasting

Qualifications

• Experienced Buyer or senior buying role.
• Experience with branded goods is essential.
• Sports fashion buying knowledge is advantageous.
• People development experience advantageous.
• Strong presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and mentor junior members of the buying team.
• Represent the Buying function on relevant fascia and category.
• Attend appointments, select and curate products, and attend launches.
• Negotiate with brands and manage budgets/OTB.
• Present ranges and department strategy in trade meetings.
• Analyze trade performance to meet KPIs and margins.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to bring brand strategy to life.

Skills

Senior buying

Sports fashion knowledge

Brand onboarding

Analytical skills

Numerical skills

Budget forecasting

Excel

PowerPoint

Negotiation

People development

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

• Work with the Department Head and Buying Director to build forward strategy and ensure implementation.
• Development and mentorship of junior members of the buying team
• Representing the Buying function on relevant fascia and category (tbc)
• Attending all appointments, with involvement in selection, editing and curation of product
• Attending all product launches throughout the year as specified
• Attending all relevant trade shows
• Market analysis/store visits
• Analysis and review of trade with the merchandising department to propose and drive actions for the week/seasons ahead ensuring KPI's and Margin targets are met.
• Vendor negotiation and New brand onboarding
• Being hyper vigilant on new brands opportunities and trends to diversify and drive department/category sales and ensure market relevancy
• Budget negotiation and planning within internal teams and external brands
• Negotiation with brands re distribution agreements
• Working independently in a creative and trend led environment
• Managing budgets and OTB on in seasons and forward budgets
• Present ranges and department strategy with department head to Buying Director and Merchandising Director.
• Preparation and presentation of performance in trade meetings
• Proposals to assist driving sales in your relevant department
• Stock management in conjunction with brands and merchandising team
• Cross functional collaboration to bring brands/departmental strategy to life. Extensive knowledge of our store base and website
• Strong presentation skills
• Confidence within own decisions and product selection. Comfortable in driving decisions on file and being accountable for all actions.
• Ability to act independently
• Extensive knowledge of product area and market
• Ability to look forward and predict trends both current and future
• Highly numerate and skilled within budget forecasting and planning
• Strong time management skills ensuring all business critical deadlines are met

Skills/Experience/Knowledge needed:

• Experienced Buyer or currently in a senior buying role
• Experience of buying Sports Fashion is advantageous
• Experience of buying branded goods is essential
• People development experience advantageous
• Strong understanding and knowledge of current and upcoming sports fashion trends at a high street and premium level price point.
• Be able to exercise a high degree of analytical and numerical skills
• Fully literate in Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Word, Excel
• Organisational skills are essential
• Be able to work under own initiative
• A creative and trend led individual