Footwear Buyer

Kurt Geiger; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading footwear brand in London is seeking an experienced buyer to drive product development and range building. You will ensure collections align with the company's strategy and margin targets while fostering strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in footwear buying and strong communication abilities to support marketing efforts. This role promises a competitive benefits package and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Free 24-hour virtual GP access

Staff discounts

Harrods discount

Half Day, Pay Day Friday

Summer Hours - 2pm Friday Finish

Active social committee

Gym discounts

Enhanced pension scheme including life assurance

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a footwear buyer with responsibilities in delivering commercial collections.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and driving brand strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop customer-focused product collections in line with brand strategy.
• Manage supplier relationships and optimize product offerings.
• Achieve sales and margin targets through appropriate buying strategies.

Skills

Footwear Buying Experience

Commercial Collection Success

Line Management Experience

Strong Supplier Relationships

Brand Development Ability

Job description

Kurt Geiger | About Us

We are an inclusive, creative footwear and accessories brand powered by kindness. We want to empower our talent to be confident and true to themselves, the London way. London is our home, our heartbeat, and we draw inspiration from the energy and spirit of the city; its diversity and creativity. For over fifty years our team of in‑house shoe and accessory designers have been creating authentic, distinctive designs from our London headquarters. The rainbow is our signature. It represents the good energy and love we have for our community and the many ways we collectively express our individual style.

Responsibilities

Product Development & Range Building

• To develop customer and market-focused own brand product collections, keeping a keen eye on the market, competition, current and forthcoming fashion trends. The product collections should be in-line with Company strategy for the brand.
• To constantly review competition to ensure our product proposition is in line with the market across all key areas: fashion trend, price, quality and availability.
• To visit the relevant shoe fairs and fashion shows to ensure the most competitive and appropriate product collections are developed.
• To actively review and manage supplier relationships and source new vendors that will add value to your specific portfolio and to de‑list those vendors that no longer meet the business needs.
• To continually investigate and propose new product opportunities within the relevant branded market to ensure sales are optimised and brand portfolio is continuously reviewed.

Product Performance

• To deliver the Company target of Gross Profit by ensuring collections are in line with Company margin targets.
• To deliver the intake margin target set seasonally.
• To ensure that Company sales targets are achieved by buying product that is appropriate to the brands’ customer profile and current trading conditions.

Communication

• To sustain and develop a close and open working relationship with the Merchandising Team that will ensure in‑season trading issues are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
• To work alongside the Company Marketing function to ensure product ranges are effectively promoted to your target consumer. Product ranges and new developments should be communicated to the Marketing function on a regular and timely basis.

The Person

• Previous experience as a footwear Buyer
• Proven success delivering commercial collections achieving budgeted margins
• Previous line management experience
• Existing strong supplier relationships
• The ability to drive the brand forward

• Free 24 hour virtual GP access
• Enviable staff discounts
• Harrods discount
• Half Day, Pay Day Friday (once per month)
• Summer Hours - 2pm Friday Finish
• Active social committee who arrange a variety of activities such as office drinks, quizzes, free lunches, movie nights etc
• Gym discounts
• Enhanced pension scheme including life assurance

If you’re successful, you will work for a business which recognises that amazing people are the key to driving our business forward and fulfil our vision of being the world’s leading multi‑channel retailer of luxury branded shoes and accessories. We are a fast‑paced business where no two days are the same, so you will need to be adaptable; but we will reward your hard‑work, commitment and loyalty with a fantastic benefits package and very real opportunities for progression.

We Are One: For Love | For Diversity | For Change | For Equality | For Kindness | For Freedom | Against Racism