Buyer Womenswear Non Clothing

Next Careers; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the UK is seeking an experienced Buyer to join the Womenswear Non Clothing team, focusing on Footwear, Bags, and Hard Accessories. This role involves developing product ranges, managing supplier relationships, and delivering KPIs. Candidates should have strong analytical and planning skills, excellent communication abilities, and industry expertise. This fast-paced position will require working closely with designers and the e-commerce team to optimize sales. Competitive benefits include a profit-related bonus, private medical insurance, and staff discounts.

Benefits

Profit-related bonus

Management share options

Private medical insurance

Sharesave scheme

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Group income protection

Wagestream

Salary finance

25% staff discount

Discounted gym membership

Healthcare subscription service

Free eye testing

Qualifications

• Proven track record in identifying product opportunities.
• Strong understanding of brand DNA.
• In-depth knowledge of the industry.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple product ranges effectively.
• Collaborate with designers and merchandisers.
• Deliver KPIs for sales, markdown, and profit.

Skills

Analytical skills

Planning skills

Communication skills

Team player attitude

Job description

The role

With our online business constantly growing, Total Platform continuing to strengthen and our retail stores remaining distinguished for our customer base, our buyers have a big responsibility to create attractive and profitable product ranges across the business. They collaborate with our Designers, Merchandisers and Technologists to put together stylish new collections for every season.

The role involves developing a commercially successful product range by building strong relationships with suppliers and analysing data to plan across all categories. Collaboration with designers and merchandisers is key to this process. Utilizing specialist functions like product technology and sourcing, the aim is to create outstanding products. Working closely with the e‑commerce team, optimisation of online sales through tone of voice, imagery, and other tools is essential. Liaison with the Marketing team for campaign and e‑commerce shoots within department budgets is crucial. Managing the critical path for product development and selection, and swiftly identifying new product opportunities are priorities. Effective team management, resource delegation, and motivation are central to success. Frequent travel is required to source the best products and prices, with regular sign‑off on ranges.

What you’ll take on

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Buyer to join the Womenswear Non Clothing team at a time of significant growth. We are looking for a Buyer with a particular focus on Footwear, Bags and Hard Accessories including purses, wallets and belts across both Mens and Womens for Russell Bromley and other License Brands. This team is full of industry experts who live and breathe all things License! Our team has years of experience in the industry! This role will be a platform for an experienced, self‑motivated Buyer to embrace the challenge of starting and nurturing a successful and very fast‑paced department from the start. You will be responsible for planning and buying the product, delivering agreed KPIs for sales, markdown and profit. The job would be based in our Enderby office, Leicester.

What you’ll bring

The role requires the ability to manage multiple product ranges effectively and a clear understanding of brand DNA. You should ideally be an experienced Buyer with strong analytical and planning skills. You should be able to easily identify the latest trends for this category and have a comprehensive understanding of the market competition. An in‑depth knowledge of our industry is essential. A proven track record in identifying opportunities to streamline the critical path and trade ranges in‑season is crucial. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary for effective collaboration. An enthusiastic attitude and a team‑player mindset are valued attributes in this role. We would ideally like to bring in a Buyer with expert knowledge in this industry.

Sponsorship

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Benefits

• Profit‑related bonus – based on company performance
• Management share options
• Private medical insurance
• Sharesave scheme – make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
• Pension – fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
• Life assurance
• Group income protection
• Wagestream – helping you make the most out of your money
• Salary finance – offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
• 25 % staff discount on most NEXT products – plus discount on other products
• Direct to work – NEXT – discounted gym membership
• Simply health – a healthcare subscription service
• Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service – 7 free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
• A range of dedicated 3rd‑party wellbeing partners
• Free eye testing – voucher to use at specific locations

About NEXT

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE‑100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on‑line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global.