Overview
The AB role is all about continuous development and sourcing of new and innovative products, building sustainable and commercial ranges to entice current and new customers and working with suppliers to understand our global markets. As a key member of the Buying team you will be working cross functionally with Design, Garment Technologists and Merchandising to deliver world class ranges. Supporting the Buyer to ensure key ranges are delivered on time, negotiating with Suppliers, and building long term relationships.
What you will be doing
- Analysing customer buying patterns
- Work with your Buyer to maximize profits and provide a commercially viable range at competitive prices
- Assisting in regularly reviewing stock, sales and orders and react with necessary urgency to ensure sales, stock & profit targets are achieved
- Maintaining relationships with suppliers
- Liaising with other departments within the organization to ensure projects are completed
- Participating in promotional activities and capsule ranges
- Creating style books for products, identify when to update trim labels, fabrications and packaging, and liaise with graphic designer to ensure a consistent brand image
- Managing the critical path, monitoring all orders from initial product development through to delivery, ensuring the smooth running of the development process, maintaining delivery schedules and key deadlines throughout
- Working alongside QC when creating style books so that correct specs and CAD’s are received
- Lab dip and trim approvals and feeding back to suppliers, after collecting fit and quality info from QC
- Training and supporting the BAA
- Attend fit meetings with QC and models, making suggestions on fit, styling, trims etc, as well as signing off sample
We would love to meet someone with
- Someone who can demonstrate accountability for their range
- You will have relevant experience in an assistant buyer role (doesn’t have to be the same product type) within a retail chain
- Experience of fully managing the critical path for your department
- Be aware of competitors and help to try and keep MW the best value on the high street
- Confident approach to offer suggestions on the type and quantity of product
- Good interpersonal skills – able to build and manage relationships with colleagues and suppliers, communication is key at all times
- Strong Excel skills or equivalent in terms of calculating margin.
- Commercial and keeps up to date and aware of market trends, changes in demand
- Able to fully understand customer needs and demands (e.g. price, quality, availability)
- Strong time management skills and able to prioritize as this is a never-ending job and there will always be more to be done
- Someone ambitious who is looking to grow with the company and always striving for improvements in all aspects of the business, is innovative and forward thinking
- Able to deal with ambiguity in a fast pace environment with changing demands.
What is in it for you?
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme
Our story began back in 1987 in the South West when two surfers designed our first product. Their brainchild, the ‘Hook and Loop’ watch strap, quickly gained recognition within the surfing and action sports community due to its rugged and functional nature. It was here that the Animal name was born, and an iconic adventure began.
Over the past three decades, we’ve built on our board sports heritage and have grown to become a leading lifestyle clothing brand for those who share our free-spirited mindset. Our in-house design teams take inspiration from our coastal beginnings teamed with an understanding of today’s customer needs, to create authentic, effortless looks that combine our passion for adventure with a contemporary style.
As part of our continued evolution, we’re on a mission to be kinder to the planet. We’ve changed our design and manufacturing process to include more responsibly sourced materials wherever possible