Specialist Footwear & Accessories Buyer

Posted on 04/10/2019

We are looking for an action-oriented, dynamic, business savvy, resilient individual with a flair for sophisticated fashion, who will thrive in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about succeeding.

Job Purpose: Assisting in the development, selection and execution of the procurement & delivery of a balanced range aligned to Polo set business strategy. Ensure objectives focussed on achieving sales targets, nett margin, profit percentage and effective stock turns resulting in increased market share.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Result Areas:

• Analyze and evaluate sales, net margin, stock turn and profit for area of responsibility to assess and highlight areas of positive performance
• Analyze range performance to determine popular styles that can be repeated or slow-moving styles that need to be discontinued through analysis of previous sales patterns.
• Monitor and track the category sales and costs, consistently assessing and maximizing operational efficiencies.
• Keep abreast of market trends and awareness of competitor activities.
• Conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of past season KPI's (Sales, net margin, quality, delivery, profit, range performance), use findings as a base for the development of future collections
• Formulate buy plans & budgets for the brand categories
• Management of margins for brand categories as defined in the business plan
• Deliver business Key Performance Indicator’s (KPI’s) as per seasonal, annual budgets
• Track actual performance against seasonal & annual budgets & initiate remedial activities where necessary
• Maintaining an effective working relationship with suppliers, customers and staff.
• Ensure that outcomes of supplier negotiations have a direct impact on the department’s contribution towards overall profit
• Implement a process to communicate effectively when negotiating with suppliers so that all elements relating to pricing, quality, quantity, styling & delivery requirements are clearly understood and carried out in accordance with business requirements
• Monitor supplier performance on an on-going basis & re-negotiate deliverable where required
• Negotiate costs with suppliers
• Amend orders whenever necessary
• Maintain buy plans
• Update product collections accordingly in line sales and fashion trends in line with brand objectives.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding the production and sending of development and confirmation samples.
• Manage the sending and receiving of sample parcels by courier.
• Label samples and store, label and organize samples in an orderly and methodical fashion.
• Liaise with Marketing department on samples needed for PR and campaign shoots.
• Report on analysis of stock levels in the store and liaise with the departmental head.
• Assist in the compilation of “The Look” of the season.
• Have an advanced understanding of footwear trends and be proficient in the technical construction of shoes.
• Keep abreast of global fashion trends and interpret them accordingly.
• Create and prepare seasonal mood / trend boards.
• Ensure that product training for staff is up-to-date.
• Assist with weekly preparation of regular trends training and deliver to the business units.
• Meet with suppliers when required
• Liaise with suppliers on a regular basis to ensure timely delivery of orders
• Prepare samples and images thereof in relevant post seasonal reportsConduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of past season KPI’s (Sales net margin, quality, delivery, profit, range performance use findings as a base for the development of future collections.
• Manage day-to-day queries with stores, other departments and suppliers
• Do tech packs together with QA and Graphic Artist when needed.
• Assist in preparation for seasonal launch and catalogues
• Keep organized and methodical records and have strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Be available to travel if required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric
• Relevant diploma or degree in Textiles/Design/Clothing Purchasing
• Minimum 8 years’ experience at fashion Retail/chain store level in development buying and range building within the footwear division.
• Must be able to show initiative
• High level of accuracy
• High level of attention to detail.
• Strong administrative skills
• Analytical & Excel skills
• Good communication skills
• Honesty, integrity and good work ethic
• Dependability
• Be self-motivated
• High energy levels