Senior Buyer

The Couture Club; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent fashion retail brand located in Manchester is seeking a Senior Buyer to develop and execute buying strategies. The successful candidate will drive sales and margins by collaborating with Design, Merchandising, and Marketing teams. Responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, analyzing market trends, and leading a high-performing team. This role offers a full-time, permanent contract with competitive benefits, including 25 days holiday, a company bonus scheme, and flexible working hours.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company bonus scheme

Staff discount

Company pension plan

Flexible working hours

Free on‑site parking

Birthday Day Off

Qualifications

• 5 - 8+ years of buying experience within fashion or apparel retail.
• Proven experience leading and motivating a team.
• Strong relationship-building skills with stakeholders and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Direct and implement buying strategy aligned with business goals.
• Monitor in-season performance and make data-driven decisions.
• Manage supplier partnerships to maximize margin and product quality.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation skills

Trend analysis

Data-driven decision-making

Team leadership

Job description

Location: Head Office

Department: Wholesale

Reports To: Head of Merchandising & Buying

The Senior Buyer is responsible for developing and executing the department buying strategy, ensuring a compelling, profitable, and customer‑centric product assortment. This role combines strong analytical ability with trend awareness, taste levels, and supplier relationship management to drive sales, margin, and performance. The Senior Buyer collaborates closely with Design, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to deliver a cohesive and competitive product offering aligned with brand positioning.

About your responsibilities

• Responsible for directing and implementing the execution of The Couture Club buying strategy that aligns with the overall product strategy and business goals.
• Working with Design & Merchandising, delivers a strategic, commercial and trend driven profitable range which is relevant to the Couture Club customer
• Competitor & Brand awareness, understands the importance of global trends, analyse customer insights, competitor activity, and market trends to identify new opportunities and gaps within the range.
• Collaborate with Design / Product Development to influence new product creation and seasonal direction.
• Monitor in-season performance and make data‑driven decisions, actively trade the department whilst continually reviewing changes in performance and taking appropriate actions to minimise impact and maximise profit.
• Accountable for achieving department KPI’s on sales / margins / stocks / newness levels.
• Develops & maintains critical path to achieve department deadlines, ensuring meetings are in line with supplier lead times to deliver the range at the right time.
• Range builds – drive and collaborate on collection range builds – having strong product opinions and taste levels
• Manage the supply base, reviewing risks and opportunities, maximising margin benefits & product quality improvements where possible. Building strong strategic supplier partnerships.
• Be a leading voice in development and inspiration trips.
• Work collaboratively with cross functional teams; developing strong working relationships with direct points of contact to positively impact your department and the buying function.
• Establish relationships with Marketing to support product launches & storytelling.

About you as a leader

• Lead, motivate and develop the team to be a high performing, happy and successful team.
• Hold your team accountable for getting tasks done but always with the brand values and guidelines at the heart of their decisions.
• Mentor and support
• Drive best practices within the buying team and contribute to evolving processes and tools.

About you

• 5 - 8+ years of buying experience within fashion or apparel retail; senior or lead buying experience required.
• Imbedded in the industry and shifting trends / popular culture
• Leading and motivate a team is something you have experience in.
• The ability to hold effective, genuine and strong relationships with both your internal stakeholders and external partners / suppliers.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working with financial reports and data‑driven decision-making.
• Strong trend knowledge and understanding of global fashion markets.
• Ability to manage multiple seasons and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strategic thinking / commercial mindset and a creative approach

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Manchester Head Office

Department: Buying

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Company pension plan
• Flexible working hours
• Free on‑site parking
• Birthday Day Off