Buyer

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 focused on achieving sales targets, net margin and profit percentage resulting in increased market share.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate sales, net margin 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), using 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 KPIs as per seasonal, annual budgets.
• Track actual performance against seasonal & annual budgets & initiate remedial activities where necessary.
• Maintain 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 ongoing basis & re-negotiate deliverables where required.
• Negotiate costs with suppliers.
• Amend orders whenever necessary.
• Maintain buy plan.
• Update product collections accordingly in line with 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 the Marketing department on samples needed for PR and campaign shoots.
• Assist in the compilation of “The Look” of the season.
• Have an advanced understanding of menswear product construction and menswear fabrics.
• 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 reports.
• Conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of past season KPI’s (Sales, net margin, quality, delivery, profit, range performance) using 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 catalogs.
• Keep organized and methodical records and have strong administrative and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Matric.
• Relevant diploma or degree in Textiles/Design/Clothing Purchasing.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience at fashion Retail/chain store level in development buying and range building within the menswear 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.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Innovative and tenacious.