Description
As a Senior Buyer at NEXT's Love & Roses brand, you will strategically build a business plan for your department, leading the creation and delivery of a profitable, commercial range that maximises sales while achieving all profit parameters.
Your responsibilities will include:
Strategy & Planning
- Developing short-term and long-term department objectives, focusing on strategic sourcing to maximise fluctuation in currency rates, reducing product return rates, and markdown.
- Identifying key department issues and opportunities to drive overall brand profit performance.
- Proposing brand and product development initiatives based on economic, social, and fashion trends.
- Anticipating the commercial impact of decisions on the brand and wider business.
Range Planning & Development
- Leading the team in proposing seasonal direction, range structure, price architecture, and critical paths.
- Building a commercial and inspirational range by identifying key trends from catwalks, street style, and influencers, adapting them for the specific brand customer.
- Reviewing and planning future supplier strategy with Merchandising and Design.
- Presenting range proposals effectively in selection meetings.
Trading & Supplier Management
- Negotiating prices and agreeing on supplier contracts to meet departmental targets and margin requirements.
- Managing trade meetings, identifying late buys, and reacting to sales.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers.
- Appraising the supply base and making recommendations on the future direction of the business.
Team Leadership & Influence
- Managing and motivating the team to maximise performance.
- Deputising for the buying manager/head of brand.
- Delegating tasks effectively.
- Seeking and building relationships outside your immediate circle.
- Challenging existing processes and delivering improvements.
Technical Requirements:
- Comprehensive experience in high-level buying across multiple fashion categories.
- Proven experience in strategically managing and developing a team.
- Demonstrable ability to operate at a senior management level.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and team development skills.
- Excellent negotiating skills.
- Strong analytical skills and a profit-focused mindset.
- Ability to travel for supplier visits and trend sourcing.
Benefits:
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE, Lipsy, Gap, and Victoria's Secret products.
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty.
- Hot deals and exclusive offers from over 3,500 retailers.
- Company performance-based bonus.
- Early VIP access to sale stock.
- Life assurance.
- Sharesave scheme.
- Annual Travel Card Loan.
- Sample Sales.
- Fantastic L&D opportunities.
- Flexi-Hour Scheme.
- Direct to Work - Discount online and in-store.
- Support Networks.
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships.