Senior Buyer

Mountain Warehouse; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Hybrid working arrangement

50% Staff discount

Pension scheme

Job summary

Mountain Warehouse, the No1 outdoor retailer in the UK, seeks an Apparel Buyer to manage product ranges and team performance. You will oversee stock management, analyze sales reports, and build relationships with suppliers.

The ideal candidate will have 1+ years of experience in Apparel Buying, proficient in Excel, and strong analytical and interpersonal skills. The role offers a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and benefits including staff discounts and a pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1+ years of experience in Apparel Buying within a retail chain.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Excel.
• Ability to manage the critical path for the department.

Responsibilities

• Manage stock, sales, orders and forecasts.
• Present seasonal range plans to management for approval.
• Select product types and quantities based on budget.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Excel proficiency

Time management

Commercial awareness

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

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