Buyer - #1782994

Senior Buyer

Full-Time

Leeds

Ben Sherman started out in 1963 producing standout button down shirts from a factory in Brighton. Over 6 decades later the brand is still producing standout shirts, but has also expanded to a full lifestyle collection rich in the brands DNA. From the early days the brand has been linked to music and British subcultures and that remains a core aspect of the brands appeal today.

If you are passionate about being part of a British Heritage brand’s journey, why not join us?

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the buying strategy for mainline wholesale & retail to source and develop the commercial product assortment, meeting the customer requirements.
• Ensure margin targets are achieved and provide a strategic vision of both short and long-term margin potential. Lead cross costing process each season to ensure best price across all product categories.
• Manage the critical path planning process, ensure on time delivery from concept to in store launch.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery timelines.
• Analyse sales, margin and supply chain data to make informed buying decisions.
• Elevated decision maker and trusted problem solver for your department with the ability to make decisions with consideration of the wider impact.
• Extensive product knowledge – ability to engineer a garment to reduce the cost impact of detail and design without affecting the key details.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Design, Planning, Merchandising, E-commerce) to develop assortments and plan Retail Buys for both Mainline and Outlet.
• Manage agenda for monthly meetings with Brand Owner.
• Lead on product development and planning for special projects, e.g. collaborations, special buys for marketing.
• Present seasonal buy to senior leadership with clear rationale and performance projections.
• Attend sign off meetings with Brand owners.
• Build range plans in collaboration with Merchandise.
• Benchmark competitors and lead the team on pricing architecture.
• Manage the supply chain effectively building relationships and sourcing new suppliers as and when required. Ensure current suppliers are measured seasonally and work with them to make any needed improvements.
• Complete sign off sheets for all proposed buys with 100% accuracy.
• Manage the e-commerce photography requirements for all departments. Working with external studios to plan in all shoots on time to CP and within budget standards. Manage the delivery of imagery to all required departments.
• Responsible for chairing supplier meetings and travelling to factories/mills when required in the UK and Internationally.
• Full understanding of customer needs to maximise profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices.
  
  

Accountability:

• Achievement of agreed budgeted margins on all products.
• On time delivery of all garments to agreed quality standards.
• Products are commercially produced and new trends identified and delivered in line with high street competitors.
  
  

Knowledge/skills

• At least 3 years working in a Senior Buying role within a clothing-based business, ideally men’s casualwear.
• Management and leadership experience essential with a proven track record of managing a team to deliver commercially relevant, on-trend clothing.
• Experience of retail and trading.
• Extensive fabric knowledge across wovens and knits.
• Thorough understanding of Men’s Casualwear.
• Knowledge of product development & production process from design concept to delivered goods.
• An understanding of shipping terms, export & import process along with direct working with overseas suppliers.
• Broad knowledge & understanding of the clothing industry and trading environments.
• Ability to work under pressure / to timelines.
• Self-motivated and motivating.
• Commercial awareness.
• To be numerate and proficient in the relevant IT programmes.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Efficient Negotiation skills.
• Build strong and lasting relationships through supply chain & customer base.
• Confident communicator & presenter.
  
  

Experience

• 3 years in a senior buying role (ideally in men’s casualwear).
• Proven leadership experience in managing buying teams.
• Experience with retail and trading in clothing.
• Overseas supplier liaison and knowledge of import/export processes.
  
  

Skills

Buying

Senior Buyer