Overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic, resourceful, hardworking apparel buyer who will grow with the company and add value to our team working on multiple categories on menswear, womenswear and kidswear. An exceptional eye for detail is necessary, as is the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships across all areas of the business. This role will be working on cross gender product.
What you'll be doing
- Fully manage a department including reviews of stock, sales, orders and forecasting as well as option count planning across the regions including stores and online
- Understand and analyse reports and then make recommendations based on figures, common sense and experience, therefore must be incredibly numerate and analytical
- 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'd 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’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme
- Hybrid working
In 1997, we launched Mountain Warehouse to make the outdoors accessible to everyone by offering value for money product and exemplary customer service.
Our expansion since then has seen the brand grow and the product evolve, but the small family business that makes MW special has remained. Great product is at the heart of everything we do.
As we expand internationally we employ a team of dedicated diverse people to offer our valued customers the best possible experience when visiting our stores, shopping online and putting our range through its paces.
Welcome to our journey