Our client is one of the UKs most exciting & fastest growing businesses, With strong UK growth and ongoing international expansion they are looking for a Head Buyer. This role will be based in Glasgow and/or London
ROLE:
We are looking for an experienced, talented and passionate Head Buyer to be part of developing our clients online store. Heading up a growing Buying & Merchandising team you will work closely with the CEO to source new products, designers and manufacturers; create new collections and deliver a profitable and commercial range of designer branded and own label home-wares that reflects the requirements and aspirations of the customer.
You will be an experienced and successful Home Buyer who is excited and motivated by creating and delivering an industry leading proposition and will have the knowledge and network to ensure that all our clients range planning & buying activities support their sales objectives and capitalise on opportunities. You will know how to deliver the department’s P&L to meet sales targets and deliver excellent ROI.
You will be experienced in developing own brand and sourcing product domestically with manufacturing both in the UK and overseas.
Being passionate about interiors and stylish homewares as well remaining ahead of market trends and reacting to changes in demand are the key challenges of the role as you work to build out the width and depth of the current product portfolio.
Activities:
- Manage and motivate a growing Buying Team
- Range plan and build innovative, high quality, unique collections working to set KPI’s
- Plan, source and develop own brand ranges according to KPI’s and department needs
- Fully potentialise on department sales through range planning, stock management and supplier management
- Develop Category and Pricing strategies to meet P&L objectives
- Optimise category range, width and depth and react to the market to maximise sales
- Maximise margin and identify best sellers
- Minimise stock holding and work on forecasts for best-selling products
- Own sales information, budgets, plans at all levels and build sales data and analysis
- Develop and assess market trends and gain a strong understanding of competition
- Manage the supplier base - establishing good working relationships & negotiating payment and shipping terms
- Communicate new merchandise information to all relevant parts of the business i.e. Production, Marketing, Press, Customer Services
- Attend relevant trade shows and regular supplier meetings
- Work with production to create supplier/brand layouts on the website
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
- Degree Educated
- Proven experience in a Senior Buying role with min 5+ years buying experience in Home
- Experience in own brand development and international sourcing / manufacturing
- Numerical and analytical with excellent MS Excel skills
- Strong commercial awareness and retail background
- Full of initiative and enthusiasm and able to work well in a fast paced environment to meet deadlines
- Strong communication skills
- Dynamic, inspirational and motivational personality