Senior Fashion Buyer - #1650665

Senior Fashion Buyer

FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ

Hybrid flexibility

Are you an experienced and passionate fashion buyer looking for an opportunity to elevate your career?

Now is a fantastic time to join our Buying and Merchandising Team as we embark on an ambitious and exciting growth journey. Managing a product team, you will develop and deliver a product range which fulfils customer requirements and delivers the core values and attributes of the FGH Brands.

Innovation is key as we look for new ideas which will improve the customer experience and our business processes.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage and develop the supply base to support the execution of a sourcing strategy which balances the opportunity for maximising margin and the need for flexibility in response to changing customer and market needs
• To ensure that profit and service are potentialised and overstocks minimised
• Develop own buy ranges determined by customer demands and profitability.
• Propose and develop seasonal departmental product strategies which take account of product performance, customer requirements, marketing plans and current and future market trends
• In conjunction with the Merchandiser and QA, develop, review and gain agreement for the department strategy and targets for each product area to achieve sales and profit plans.
• Work with Merchandiser, Design, Marketing and E-Commerce to develop a critical path and ensure all key milestones are met
• Agree with Merchandiser the sales targets from ‘Open to Buy’ and range reviews. Agree range plan, stock flow, margins and prices with Merchandiser to ensure smooth flow of the right stock at the right time
• Constantly maintain a thorough market knowledge and awareness of changes in competitor ranges and strategies, ensuring that a commercial range is delivered and appropriate to the profile of the target customer
• In conjunction with QA, ensure that all products meet the standards of quality (functionability and consistency), Legal and Safety, whilst ensuring orders are placed on time and within the agreed critical path
• As one of the Brands Product Experts, make recommendations to Marketing and E-commerce on products that should be featured in editorial content / emails / promotions
• Agree objectives with direct reports, manage their performance and provide advice and guidance so they can work effectively and develop within their roles

ABOUT YOU

Essential

• At least 5 years proven experience at Buyer level in a Retail environment
• Experience of product development buying is essential
• Experience buying Womenswear Clothing
• Knowledge of multi category buying including Knitwear/Outer wear / Denim / Wovens / Jersey preferably
• High level range planning and range building skills
• A good understanding of commercials is very important with the ability to accurately judge cost and selling prices on seeing products, predict sales potential of a product and understand target customers' buying behavior
• Related product and competitor product knowledge and experience, or skills easily transferable to the specific product area.
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise effectively whilst working at pace
• Flexible and positive attitude and approach to work
• Good influencing skills both internal and external customers
• Proven track record for developing effective working relationships
• Proven negotiation skills, with experience of managing a supplier base as well as sourcing new suppliers
• Strong people management and development skills
• Having the ability to adapt to different customer requirements
• Ability to adapt to rapid change
• Previous experience in managing a team
• Able to commute to Bradford city centre
• Business travel which may include overnight stays – UK and Abroad

Desirable

• Experience in own buy development market an advantage
• Working knowledge of buying processes in particular FE sourcing
• Experience of supplier liaison meets including some travel – UK or abroad
• Extensive knowledge of working with brands.
• Experience of managing more junior staff's workloads.
• Experience of trade analysis and reporting.
• Experience of devising and delivering strategies and sign offs.

ABOUT US: FGH BUYING & MERCHANDISING

An exciting and fast-paced environment, Buying & Merchandising stay at the forefront of the latest trends and work closely with providers across Asia and Europe to provide the great products our customers love.

For over 100 years, Freemans has been at the forefront of home shopping, delivering quality products and exceptional service. We’ve accepted the challenge to transform our business into a modern, digital-first retailer.

Based in West Yorkshire and part of the OTTO group – one of the world’s largest online retail organisations, Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) is the home of familiar brands such as Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, and Curvissa.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

FLEXIBILITY

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working options to help you achieve a healthy work – life balance. Our full time head office colleagues work a minimum of 2 days per week in the office, allowing the perfect balance between collaborative in-person team work and the flexibility to work from home.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Turning your job into a career is a real passion for us and our development programmes will enable you to grow in role.

We offer clear career pathways that will show you the way, outlining the skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to perform at the next step.

We invest in our colleagues, giving them all the opportunity to progress. Our inspired leadership programme is aimed at equipping our future leaders to coach, develop, manage change and maintain situational awareness.

INCLUSIVITY

As a business, we depend on a fusion of identities, characteristics, backgrounds, and cultures to fully appreciate our people and our customers. Freemans has a long-standing commitment to ensuring fairness and balance.

Our company is an inclusive organisation where everybody can make the most of their talent and abilities. Our pay, reward, and progression approach is based solely on fairness and merit.

Our values and policies ensure that all colleagues receive fair and equitable treatment. We work hard to attract the very best talent, develop our workforce and create a culture of fairness and integrity for all.

BENEFITS

We firmly believe that we should reward our brilliant people with extensive benefits to help them stay healthy, relax and re-energise, have fun, manage the day-to-day and plan for the future. Here are just some of our great benefits:

• Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme
• 37 Days holiday
• Healthcare cash plan
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Paid paternity and maternity leave
• Incredible staff discounts
• Subsidised Canteen

Ready to apply?

If you’re excited about this opportunity and want to join FGH, click apply now to send us your application.