Buyer / Senior Buyer

Michael Page; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A retail-focused organization in Leeds is seeking a Buyer/Senior Buyer to lead the buying strategy for wholesale and retail. The role requires management experience and extensive fabric knowledge to deliver on-trend products. You will collaborate with teams to develop assortments while ensuring margin targets are met. The company offers a hybrid working model and competitive benefits, including free parking and product discounts.

Benefits

Free Parking

Close to transport links

Hybrid Working 3 days in the office, 2 days work from home

Discount on Product

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing a team to deliver commercially relevant clothing.
• Experience in retail and trading is essential.
• Extensive knowledge of fabrics across wovens and knits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the buying strategy for wholesale & retail.
• Ensure margin targets are achieved and provide a strategic vision.
• Manage the critical path planning process.

Skills

Management and leadership experience

Extensive fabric knowledge

Analytical skills

Job description

Overview

To deliver a commercial range of product taking into account customer demand, pricing, quality, market trends, customer relationships and financial budgets. This is a well-established organisation within the retail industry, recognised for its focus on delivering quality products to its customers. Operating with a mid-sized team, the company offers a collaborative and professional working environment in Leeds.

Responsibilities

• Lead the buying strategy for mainline wholesale & retail to source and develop the commercial product assortment, meeting the customer requirements.
• Ensure margin targets are achieved and provide a strategic vision of both short and long-term margin potential.
• Lead cross costing process each season to ensure best price across all product categories.
• Manage the critical path planning process, ensure on time delivery from concept to in store launch.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery timelines.
• Analyse sales, margin and supply chain data to make informed buying decisions.
• Elevated decision maker and trusted problem solver for your department with the ability to make decisions with consideration of the wider impact.
• Extensive product knowledge - ability to engineer a garment to reduce the cost impact of detail and design without affecting the key details.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Planning, Merchandising, E-commerce) to develop assortments and plan Retail Buys for both Mainline and Outlet.
• Manage agenda for monthly meetings with Brand Owner.
• Lead on product development and planning for special projects, e.g. collaborations, special buys for marketing.
• Present seasonal buy to senior leadership with clear rationale and performance projections.

Profile / Qualifications

• Management and leadership experience essential with a proven track record of managing a team to deliver commercially relevant, on-trend clothing.
• Experience of retail and trading.
• Extensive fabric knowledge across wovens and knits.

Location

Leeds

Job Offer / Benefits

• Free Parking
• Close to transport links
• Hybrid Working 3 days in the office, 2 days work from home
• Discount on Product
• Buyer / Senior Buyer