Buyer

Bonmarche Ltd; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Wakefield is seeking an experienced Buyer to join their team. The successful candidate will implement sourcing strategies, manage targets, and negotiate effectively with suppliers. Candidates should have at least 2 years' experience in a similar role and a strong commercial awareness. This position offers a great opportunity to make a significant impact within a dynamic working environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years at Buyer level required.
• Tangible knowledge of putting together a profitable range.
• Experience of working with suppliers on a landed and direct basis.

Responsibilities

• Implement sourcing and buying strategy for products.
• Manage the buying team and ensure targets are met.
• Negotiate with suppliers for best prices while maintaining standards.

Skills

Strong commercial awareness

Effective communicator

Team player

Flexible approach

Technical experience

Job description

Overview

Here at Bonmarche we have a fantastic opportunity for a Buyer to join dynamic Buying based in the Wakefield Head Office. If you would like to be part of a forward-thinking business and want a role where you will hit the ground running, we would love to hear from you.

Role purpose

To implement the sourcing and buying strategy for a given range of product, owning and supporting the delivery of agreed target KPI's. Working in partnership with merchandiser to plan and balance the range.

Main Areas of Accountability

• Manage the buying team ensuring targets are identified and met
• Ensure the supply base has the capability to meet requirements
• Negotiate with suppliers for best price whilst maintaining product integrity and standards in production
• Understand and contribute towards brand and product handwriting
• Ensure that agreed levels of good, better and best product are bought
• Review competitor activity and ensure customer / competitor benchmarking completed
• Understand profit and intake margin strategy focussing on achieved NAM
• Continually drive newness and initiative, maximising sales and minimising risk
• Challenge and manage underperformance where necessary
• Work with technologist to take joint responsibility for fit and quality
• Regularly visit stores and work closely with retail and VM colleagues
• Work with suppliers and supplier design resource to develop new product opportunities
• Secure dates for product sign-off at appropriate points in the season
• Oversee the critical path management for the department

Additional Accountabilities

• Assist in driving marketing and trading activity via Press & POS
• Work with the HR team to ensure that the teams are developed to the required skill levels
• Develop a broader business interest to support and work with the Buying and Merchandising Teams
• Cascade strategic objectives to the wider teams
• Work alongside the rest of the buying team to ensure that agreed looks and colour palettes are developed and delivered with consistency
• Develop and share best practice across the buying floor
• Ensure that communication of issues and developments to the Buying Director is timely, consistent and in the appropriate format
• Undertaking additional project work when required
• Ensure that key events are planned, monitored and delivered e.g. Windows, Tables, Collection launches, POS, Catalogue and Mailer, TV Shopping
• Growth of online and multichannel product offer through internet exclusives

Measures of Success

• Deliver a profitable range in a timely manner
• Develop a range which works visually alongside other products to agreed guidelines
• Build and motivate a professional and respected team
• Work within budget to increase sales whilst reducing markdown

Resources Available

• Assistant Buyer
• Merchandise planning and systems support
• Brand support from Marketing team
• Strategic guidance and direction from Management team
• Technical and sourcing support
• Freelance design and print input

Operating Environment

To operate in an open- and even-handed manner with all colleagues across the business. Treat all who we interact with, with courtesy and respect, treating everyone equally and embracing differences. Encourage everyone to achieve maximum potential and deliver a friendly service. To proactively contribute to teamwork and cross-functional working. To listen to each other and share knowledge enabling us to willingly combine expertise across the business. Behaving with integrity and demonstrating professionalism at all times. To always do what is right. To take personal responsibility & accountability for actions, constantly striving to improve and exceed expectations ensuring safety and quality are never compromised.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial awareness and minimum of 2 years at Buyer Level
• Tangible knowledge of putting together a profitable range
• Effective communicator, presenter and team player
• Ability to adopt a flexible approach when required and to think swiftly
• Relevant technical experience for a given product range
• Experience of working with suppliers on a landed and direct basis
• Far East travel and factory-based negotiations essential