Senior Buyer

From our first store in the 1960s, a little Taunton shop with great clothes and even better prices, to an omni-channel business serving millions of customers… we're New Look.
Our purpose is always to inspire That New Look Feeling and we believe that starts with us. Our values motivate us every day: we play to win, we’re customer-obsessed and we work as one.

The Team
Buying is the department that brings together creative inspiration & commercial planning to deliver the best ranges for our customer. Product is at the heart of everything we do, from developing the best prints for dresses, the must-have coat of the season or the ‘It’ bag. Always thinking ‘customer first’ we work hard with our suppliers in the UK & across the world to deliver fashion at amazing prices & as quickly as possible. Buying is fast-paced and exciting & every day is unique.

The Role
As a Senior Buyer, you will support and deliver the departmental sourcing plan, optimizing product routes in line with business strategy. You will manage Swimwear, Lingerie & 915 nightwear/Swimwear/Lingerie, negotiating with suppliers to achieve better values, cost prices, and lead times. Reporting to the Head of Buying, you will lead the department's strategy, ensuring profitability and efficiency.

Planning:

• Develop and implement departmental strategy aligned with business goals.
• Set pricing strategies and manage seasonal fabric planning.
• Work within Open to Buy (OTB) targets and monitor market trends.
• Build strong relationships across departments to enhance product ranges.

Buying:

• Identify and interpret product trends for relevant categories.
• Drive product development and manage critical paths.
• Negotiate best cost prices to meet margin targets and customer needs.
• Oversee product development and ensure product consistency with the brand.

Suppliers:

• Source new opportunities and provide direction to current suppliers.
• Plan production in conjunction with Merchandising and manage supplier KPIs.

Trading:

• Manage the Critical Path from concept to delivery, adapting to market trends.
• React to sales data and market changes to maximize opportunities.
• Communicate product performance and trends within the business.

Product Awareness:

• Conduct competitor analysis and identify market opportunities.

Team:

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team.
• Foster collaboration across Merchandising, Design, and Technical teams.

About You

• Extensive previous experience as a Buyer.
• Knowledge of all the elements that make up the cost of a product.
• Understanding of supply chain issues / cost – (e.g. product lead times/ flexibility/ supplier capability).
• Ability to develop and build a comprehensive product range based on agreed option framework in the Assortment Planning Tool.
• Understanding of packaging and presentation of a product to the Customer.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the current competitive marketplace (comparative shopping).
• Understanding launch plans, phasing and sale dates.
• Ability to identify relevant product trends in the Global retail marketplace (directional shopping).
• Ability to put together a comprehensive and clear design brief (in conjunction with the Designer and Garment Technologist).
• Risk assessment and SWOT analysis skills.
• Numerical and analytical skills.
• Customer knowledge.
• Highly organized and able to work across multiple product types, managing a variety of lead times and sourcing routes.
• Solid negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience of operating in an unstable economic climate.
• Ability to line manage, train and develop a Team.

Why New Look?
Being part of the New Look Team means you get access to a great range of benefits & perks…

• You’ll *love* our generous staff discount – 40% off for you and a loved one, and 25% off for up to 12 friends and family members!
• Get special access to hundreds of discounts from top retailers and gyms, along with free workout classes, on our rewards platform Runway.
• Plan for your retirement while you work with our contributory private pension scheme.
• We’re all about celebrating our success, so we have a profit-related bonus scheme.
• Upgrade your commute with our company car allowance – you can use it to buy, lease or fund your current vehicle.
• Our family-friendly policies include enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave.

Receive quick access to consultations and treatments with AXA Private Medical Scheme, paid for by us.
Big trip on the cards? Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.

• Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year.
• Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme.
• Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans.
• Running late? No worries, enjoy a free breakfast on us!

We're proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children's Trust.
Please note – these benefits and perks are non-contractual and may be changed from time to time.