Buyer

Mountain Warehouse; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Staff discount

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Job summary

Mountain Warehouse is seeking an Apparel Buyer to join the Buying department in London. The role focuses on managing stock, forecasting and range planning across two main seasons, with a drive to keep MW competitive on the high street.

You will lead a team of buyers and merchandisers, analyse reports, and present seasonal plans to senior management. The position offers a hybrid work setup in a growing company with strong discount benefits.

Qualifications

• Apparel Buying experience in a retail chain or equivalent (1+ years)
• Experience fully managing the critical path for the department
• Commercial approach to key business decisions
• Awareness of competitors and maintaining value on the high street
• Confident in proposing product type and quantity within the budgeted OTB
• Strong IT skills, especially Excel

Responsibilities

• Fully manage the department including stock reviews, sales, orders and forecasting.
• Present seasonal range plans to senior management for approval.
• Source and review merchandise to ensure competitiveness and value.
• Place orders across two main seasons (A/W and S/S) with sign‑off by Buying Director.
• Construct and present reports to senior management and monitor market trends.
• Lead a team of buyers and merchandisers to deliver growth and profit.

Skills

Excel

Numerate

Analytical

People management

Job description

Description

Mountain Warehouse is currently going through a massive growth period with a large number of store openings yearly and growth in size by over 20% year on year. We are currently the No1 outdoor retailer in the UK and are constantly on the lookout for bright ambitious and hardworking individuals to join our team

Department: Buying

Location: London

Description

Mountain Warehouse is currently going through a massive growth period with a large number of store openings yearly and growth in size by over 20% year on year. We are currently the No1 outdoor retailer in the UK and are constantly on the lookout for bright ambitious and hardworking individuals to join our team

We are seeking an enthusiastic, resourceful, hardworking Apparel Buyer who will grow with the company and add value to our team. An exceptional eye for detail is necessary, as is the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across all areas of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Fully manage the departments including reviews of stock, sales, orders and forecasting.
• Understand and analyse reports and then make recommendations based on figures, common sense and experience, therefore must be incredibly numerate and analytical. Personally manage £40 million budget per annum, but this is continually growing.
• Range planning to maximize profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices.
• Regularly present seasonal range plans to the management team that reflects company goals and ambitions, in order to gain approval for the range.
• Source new and constantly re-evaluate, resource and review existing merchandise to ensure product remains as competitive as possible (wherever possible MW to be the cheapest on the high street).
• Select the type and quantity of product for the department given the budgeted OTB and place orders over 2 main seasons A/W and S/S. All orders to be signed off by Buying Director.
• Reports to be constructed and presented to senior management Keep up to date and are aware of market trends, react to changes in demand.
• Fully understand customer needs and demands (e.g. price, quality, availability).
• Colour planning for each season to be carried out with Buying Director and other Buyers.
• Manage a team of buyers and merchandisers to deliver consistent growth and like for like profit.
• Attend fit meetings with production coordinators, models and garment technicians, making suggestions on fit, styling, trims etc., as well as signing off samples.

We Would Like To Meet Someone Who Is

• You will have relevant experience in Apparel Buying for at least 1+ years within a retail chain or equivalent.
• 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