Mountain Warehouse is a growing outdoor retailer with our customers’ needs at its core. We are constantly evolving and developing new product. Our product is what sets us apart. With stores all over the world, we are an expanding globally and are on a journey to be an inclusive outdoor brand and want you to join us.
Overview
An exciting opportunity to grow and develop the Activewear Department, you will be focussed on delivering commercial, high quality products, we are building and developing a motivated team who are ambitious, engaged and happy.
Drive, develop and manage a high-performing team to deliver continuous results and new product development. An exceptional eye for detail is crucial, as is the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across all areas of the business especially with Merchandising, Garment Technologists and Design. This role will also require a high level of supplier engagement.
What you will be doing
- Fully manage a department including reviews of stock, sales, orders and forecasting as well as option count planning across the regions including store and online
- Understand and analyse reports and then make recommendations based on figures, common sense and experience, therefore must be incredibly numerate and analytical
- Manage £40 million budget per annum, but this is continually growing
- Range planning to maximize profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices
- Regularly present seasonal range plans to the management team that reflects company goals and ambitions, to gain approval for the range
- Source new and constantly re-evaluate, resource and review existing merchandise to ensure product remains as competitive as possible (wherever possible MW to be the cheapest on the high street)
- Select the type and quantity of product for the department given the budgeted OTB and place orders over 2 main seasons A/W and S/S. All orders to be signed off by Buying Director.
- Reports to be constructed and presented to the senior management team
- Keep up to date and are aware of market trends, react to changes in demand
- Fully understand customer needs and demands (e.g. price, quality, availability)
- Colour planning for each season to be carried out with Buying Director and other Buyers
- Manage the Buying team to deliver consistent growth and like for like profit
- Attend fit meetings with production coordinators, models and garment technicians, making suggestions on fit, styling, trims etc., as well as signing off samples
We would love to meet someone with
- You will have relevant experience in Buyer for at least 2 years within a retail chain or equivalent
- Experience of fully managing the critical path for your department
- Commercial approach to business-critical decisions
- 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 for the department given the budgeted OTB
- Good interpersonal skills – able to build and manage relationships with colleagues and suppliers, communication is key at all times
- Strong IT skills most importantly in Excel or equivalent
- 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
What is in it for you?
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme