Senior Buyer (Love & Roses)
Next · London
Role Purpose
The Senior Buyer is responsible for strategically building a business plan for their department. You will lead the creation and delivery of a profitable, commercial range that maximises sales while achieving all profit parameters. As a senior leader, you provide high-level vision and mentorship to the team, ensuring performance is maximised across the brand.
Role Responsibilities
- Strategy & Planning:
- Develop short-term and long-term department objectives strategic sourcing to maximise fluctuation in currency rates, reducing product return rates, reducing markdown
- Identify and focus on key department issues and opportunities to drive overall brand profit performance.
- Propose brand and product development initiatives outside your own department based on economic, social, and fashion trends.
- Anticipate the commercial impact of decisions on the brand and wider business.
- Range Planning & Development
- Lead the team in proposing seasonal direction, range structure, price architecture, and critical paths.
- Have confidence in newness , influencing peers & management of unknown trends/styling
- Build a commercial and inspirational range by identifying key trends from catwalks, street style, and influencers, adapting them for the specific brand customer.
- Review and plan future supplier strategy with Merchandising and Design, identifying new sourcing requirements and optimising the use of trials and late buys.
- Present range proposals effectively in selection meetings to gain senior management commitment.
- Trading & Supplier Management
- Negotiate prices and agree on supplier contracts to meet departmental targets and margin requirements.
- Manage and attend weekly trade meetings, identifying late buys and reacting to sales to ensure the range remains commercial.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to effectively manage issues such as quality, costs, and late deliveries.
- Appraise the supply base in conjunction with Technical and Design teams to make recommendations on the future direction of the business.
- Team Leadership & Influence
- Manage and motivate the team (including Assistant and Junior Buyers) to maximise performance through regular reviews and coaching.
- Deputising for buying manger/head of brand
- Delegate tasks effectively to ensure workload is appropriately distributed and deadlines are met.
- Actively seek and build relationships outside your immediate circle to gain insight into competitor activity and share findings with the team.
- Challenge existing processes and deliver improvements to drive the business forward.
Technical Requirements
- Comprehensive experience in high-level buying across multiple fashion categories.
- Proven experience in strategically managing and developing a team of direct reports.
- Demonstrable ability to operate at a senior management level, managing significant commercial P&L accountability.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and team development skills.
- Excellent negotiating skills and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships.
- Strong analytical skills and a profit-focused mindset.
- Ability to travel as required for supplier visits and trend sourcing.