Group Buyer Role
We are recruiting for a Group Buyer to join our client's team, the parent company of a collection of independent department stores, proud to be a family-owned independent retail group.
The Group Buyer role will involve maximising sales and gross profit opportunities through effective commercial range planning and buying across store locations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Buying and Planning: Carry out range planning and buying as required for each store with regular review of product performance based on sales history, sell-through, stock levels, stock turn, and margin achieved.
* Product Sourcing: Source new brands/product lines appropriate for each store's customer profile to ensure our stores are exciting and desirable locations to shop.
* Negotiation: Negotiate intake margins, settlement discounts, exclusivity clauses, marketing support, and other incomes with suppliers to achieve improved profit margins.
* Stock Management: Effectively manage OTB against seasonal budget and intake targets while maintaining control of options bought for allocated space.
* Futura EPOS/Stock Management System: Use the Futura EPOS/stock management system to manage sales, sell-through, margin, stock levels, and stock turn to maximise sales and minimise markdowns.
* Life of Stock: Manage the life of stock purchased from purchase order creation to delivery and through the selling cycle, reacting to fast sellers and minimising damage on slow lines.
* Promotional and Eventing Activity: Plan promotional and eventing activity in conjunction with Marketing and in-store teams for the buying category to achieve sales and gross profit targets.
* Communication: Regularly provide product and marketing information to the Marketing team for email and social channels content creation and key product focus.
* Liaison: Liaise regularly with store Sales Managers to understand and react to sales performance.
* Store Visits: On-site visits are important.
* Staff Development: Undertake regular performance appraisals, coach, and monitor the development of the Buyer's Assistant where appropriate. Ensure that all staff abide by the guidelines laid down in the Health and Safety at Work Act, plus any subsequent relevant law.
Essential Criteria:
* Previous experience in a similar role.
* Strong numerical and analytical skills.
* IT literate.
* Able to build a commercial range.
* Excellent personal organisation skills.
* Highly self-motivated.
* Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
* Able to travel throughout the UK and Europe.
* Full, clean driving licence and access to a car.
Desirable Criteria:
* Previous experience of using online stock management systems.
* Previous experience of buying for a fashion category.
Hybrid working available. The role will involve some travel to meet with suppliers, etc. Salary: Negotiable depending on experience. Job Type: Full-time - Permanent.