Buyer/ Senior Buyer - Footwear and Bags

White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women’s and men’s clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original, and internally created prints, intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.

Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We’re sociable, talented and likeminded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

Who you are:

An experienced Footwear and Bags Buyer with clear track record of delivering positive product and sales performance across eCommerce and retail channels. You’ll be self-motivated individual, capable of driving product performance and change at pace. You’ll naturally have a passion for product and an eye for detail. Must have technical experience in leather footwear and bags. Product areas will also cover jewellery, sunglasses and belts.

Primary objective of the job:

As a Footwear and Bags Buyer you will develop and select seasonal product ranges which maximize sales opportunities, anticipates and exceeds customer needs and reflects market trends.

The role includes range development, strategic negotiation to achieve financial targets and strengthen market position, whilst ensuring all products meets reflects the brand values and adheres to all quality and safety standards.

What you’ll be doing:

Range Development

· Work with the design and merchandising team to ensure the range development meets all product strategic pillars from innovation, detail, margin through to quality and sustainability.

· Provides commercial balance between aesthetics and financial targets.

· Understanding capabilities of supplier base and develops a commercial range taking into consideration the supply chain process and economic conditions.

· Able to identify and implements new product opportunities at right pace.

· Effectively manages the critical path to manage all sales channels whilst considering agility.

· Actively reviews both aspirational and competitor activity, utilising insight to shape ranges.

Commercial

· Monitors the sales performance weekly to evaluate, propose and implement any actions that need to maximise growth, whilst managing risk.

· Clear understanding of the commercial drivers of the business, relating these drivers across the supply chain from design to delivery.

· Effectively leads and manages the sign off process with heads of and directors from diarising, preparation, and clear articulation of range build to meet KPI’s across all channel requirements from assortment needs to grading and ranking.

· Make decisions in context of correct commercial balance between aesthetics and profit without compromising brand

· Manages and delivers target margin for area of responsibility

· Oversees and ensures all product order management information is set up correctly on internal systems and cascaded to the supply base as required.

Planning

· Prepare initial outlines for range plan, keeping in mind the complex needs, and varying timescales of a multi-channel business.

· Excellent range planning skills, working closely with merchandise and design teams to optimise product assortment.

Process and Critical Path Management

· Support team in creating and managing a robust departmental critical path.

· Accountable for timely deliveries of all milestones and touchpoints within critical path.

· Ensure all product approvals at all stages are managed effectively from concept to delivery into DC.

· Ensure that all marketing and eCommerce collateral is correct and up to date in accordance with business requirements.

· Ensure 100% on time delivery of accurate salesman, product & shoot samples.

Quality Control

· Effectively manages the quality assurance process partnering with internal technologists and supply base.

· Responsible for the entire fit sealing process ensuring it coincides with the critical path and products are sealed in line with the commercial strategy of the Brand.

· Works with Technical team to monitor and evaluate quality performance of supply base.

People Management

· Lead by example and communicate with clarity and consistency with direct and indirect teams.

· Ensure team is fully functioning and that cross functional relationships are built and maintained.

· Train and develop individual team members to improve their individual capabilities and deliver functional expertise.

· Evaluate team performance on a regular basis via clear and achievable objectives to ensure focus on succession planning.

What you’ll need:

· Must have technical experience in footwear and bags

· Technical expertise in leather fabrication, construction, and production

· Keen eye for contemporary fashion and understanding of trends relevant to the brand.

· An ability to influence and drive the product development cycle, working closely with the design team to identify and deliver on all opportunities.

· High degree of buying knowledge and expertise encompassing strategic thinking, commercial acumen, negotiation and creativity.

· Extensive experience of managing a global supply base with direct sourcing relationships across multi product.

· The ability to inspire, influence and communicate effectively at all levels.

· Solution based, shows initiative and is proactive.

· Strong commercial awareness of target customer aesthetics and lifestyle needs.

· Ability to independently multi-task across multiple product areas.

· Commitment, drive, passion and self-motivation

What we will offer you:

As a Buyer at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

• Annual bonus opportunity

• Up to 25 days holiday per annum

• Hybrid working with 3 to 4 days in the office

• 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community

• 50% discount

• Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance

• Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance

• Interest free season ticket loan

• Pension Contribution

We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age .

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