Merchandise Buyer

Truworths; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Truworths is seeking a driven Fashion Buyer to thrive in an adaptable, trend-led environment. You will translate global fashion trends into commercially successful product selections that resonate with our customers.

The role requires strong analytical and numerical skills to forecast demand, manage budgets and margins, and negotiate with suppliers for competitive pricing and reliable delivery. Partnership, planning and market insight are essential to drive performance.

Qualifications

• 4+ years’ buying experience in retail or clothing manufacturing.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in a related field.
• Proficiency in Excel, retail systems, and awareness of e-commerce trends.

Responsibilities

• Interpret sales data, forecast demand, and manage budgets and profit margins.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive pricing and reliable delivery timelines, while building partnerships.
• Apply pricing strategies and competitor insights to drive performance.
• Manage forward-ordering cycles, multiple product categories, and tight deadlines with merchandising, logistics, and sourcing teams.
• Present ideas clearly, align cross-functional teams, and provide product feedback.
• Understand market and consumer behaviour to adapt to trends and economic conditions.
• Make decisions under pressure using data and instinct to assess risks and opportunities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numerical skills

Budget management

Supplier negotiations

Commercial awareness

Forecasting

Communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in related field

Tools

Excel

Retail systems

Job description

We are seeking a driven and commercially minded Fashion Buyer who thrives in an adaptable, trend-led environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong awareness of global fashion trends by actively following runway shows, street style, and social media, with the ability to translate these insights into commercially successful product selections that resonate with our target customer.

A solid understanding of seasonal trends, colours, fabrics, and consumer preferences is essential, along with the agility to react quickly to trade and market shifts.

Key Responsibilities:

• This role requires strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret sales data, forecast demand, and effectively manage budgets and profit margins.
• The successful candidate must be confident in negotiating with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, and reliable delivery timelines, while building and maintaining long-term partnerships.
• A high level of commercial awareness is key—you must understand the balance between trend and profitability, applying pricing strategies and competitor insights to drive performance.
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills are required to manage forward-ordering cycles, multiple product categories, and tight deadlines, while collaborating closely with merchandising, logistics, and sourcing teams.
• Strong communication skills are essential to effectively present ideas, align cross-functional teams, and provide clear product feedback.
• A deep understanding of market and consumer behaviour will enable you to make informed decisions and adapt quickly to changing trends and economic conditions.
• You should be confident making decisions under pressure, using both data and instinct to assess risks and opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience:

• 4+ Years’ buying experience in retail or clothing manufacturing across Ladieswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Accessories, or Footwear.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in a related field.
• Proficiency in relevant digital tools, including Excel, retail systems, and an awareness of e-commerce trends, is expected.

Truworths is committed to transformation and to providing equal employment opportunities in line with the Employment Equity Act.