DescriptionARI is one of the largest and most significant players in the global travel retail industry. We own and manage duty free and duty paid retail outlets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas. From pioneering beginnings when we opened the world’s first duty free shop in Shannon Airport in 1947, we now employ over 3,000 people worldwide and manage a turnover in excess of $1 billion. ARI’s head office is based in Dublin, Ireland and is a wholly owned subsidiary of daa plc.
We are looking for a passionate and strategic Fashion & Accessories Buyer to join our team, reporting to the Global Buying Manager – F&A. In this dynamic role, you will be responsible for implementing and delivering the category strategy across allocated locations, driving sales and margin growth by sourcing and curating compelling product assortments that enhance the customer experience.
As a key collaborator with local management teams, you will play a crucial role in executing retail standards, optimizing business unit performance, and ensuring our product selections align with passenger profiles and market trends. You will be the go-to expert for category-related inquiries, making data-driven decisions that support company strategy and profitability.
The ideal candidate is an experienced buying professional with a keen eye for emerging trends, a strong commercial mindset, and a commitment to integrity and excellence. If you thrive in a fast-paced retail environment and are passionate about delivering outstanding product selections, we’d love to hear from you.ResponsibilitiesCategory Strategy & Budgeting:
Local ownership of F&A categories, and concepts, and taking full ownership of their management under the guidance of the Global Buying Manager.
Identifies potential new suppliers, category extensions & concept development inputs to drive growth.
Negotiates commercial trading terms and rebates for area of responsibility ready for Global Buying Manager sign off.
Analysis of data and makes commercial recommendations to enhance performance, ready for sign off by the Global Buying Manager.
Supports during budgeting in identifying opportunities and risks and inputs relating to vendor/brand shares of trade.
Attends seasonal product & marketing presentations to curate best assortments for location.
Implements category strategy, new vendor agreements, and Joint Business Plans within location.
Provides commentary/insight on category performance, identifies specific action plans, opportunities, and weaknesses, and escalates to Global Buying Manager and Global Head of Category for stores in region.
Completes new line templates.
Sets initial ROPs and signs off ROP changes.
Manages the ranging and deranging of SKUs and coordinates RTVs with commercial finance.
Tracks and reports on store level & category performance versus budgeted KPIs.
Actively drives action plans locally to deliver on targets & budgets.
Builds and implements promotional plans for sign off by Global Buying Manager.
Negotiates price and supports from local Suppliers, with the Global Buying Manager sign off.
Acts as a subject matter expert in location for respective categories.
Comp shops and regular RRP checks with local market and relevant brands.
Communication & Relationship Management:
Maintains positive vendor relationships.
Signs off space plans & manages and oversees furniture refits.
Delivers new vendor launches and changes in store locations.
Briefs store teams for all changes and promotional activities.
Audits the execution of buying store briefs and agreed promotional/price activity with store management teams and proposes solutions.
Liaises with local marketing teams on PoS and has regular fortnightly meetings to ensure best practice.
Negotiates commercial agreements with local suppliers (within agreed parameters) and raises corresponding rebates.
Resolves pricing issues on blocked invoices with SSC.
Arranges product training to ensure awareness on newness/new brands introduced into the business.
Identifies opportunities for local products and nominates to Global Buying Manager to ensure sense of place.
Has an excellent collaborative working relationship with all functions to ensure budget delivery of sales, profit, optimum sell-thru and customer experience, whilst being the immediate point of contact for local operations teams.
Ensures sign off of any margin diluting activity with the Global Buying Manager and Global Head of Category.
Ensures local & regional compliance to SLAs and all agreed negotiations.
Qualifications
3+ years' experience as a buyer in a fast-paced retail environment is required. Experience in fashion buying advantageous.
Experience in a busy, deadline-driven environment.
Proven experience in retail purchasing and/or merchandising management.
Proven experience in brand relationship management.
Proven experience building profitable business and knowledge of the Open-to-Buy process.
Strong understanding of merchandising financials, retail math and the ability to manage profitability.
Strong product sensibility and understanding of category brands.
Demonstrated excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Excellent numerical and analytical skills with ability to analyse reports and draw conclusions/recommendations.
Ability to remain flexible and willing to change and challenge strategies, as business needs require.
Commitment to daa/ARI Values
Some International travel may be required