Buying Manager

We are looking for a resilient, efficient, and confident individual with a compelling merchant mentality and a passion for Girlswear to execute the Company’s product & purchasing strategy for Girlswear to achieve the Company’s sales and profit objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Achieving and exceeding the Company’s inflow margin and GP Rands as signed off at the seasonal business plan meetings.
- Developing, influencing, and driving the SBU’s seasonal product and purchasing strategy in line with Company objectives (i.e. the Business Plan).
- Effectively influencing the selection of merchandise in line with the approved product matrix to meet the target customers’ needs in terms of price, quality and fashionability, to deliver to the Company’s agreed value proposition.
- Ensuring that the correct suppliers are selected for the SBU & managed according to Company policies and procedures.
- Determining and managing the merchandise procurement process to ensure on-time delivery as per the agreed Company critical path dates.
- Ensuring that the appropriate product is selected and proposed to maximize sales in support of the agreed marketing, sales, and in-store visual merchandising plan.
- Developing and influencing cross-functional partnerships with all specified key relationships (Planning, Marketing, Product Technology, Operations and Supply Chain functional areas).
- Leading & developing the Girls Buying Team (14 reports) by implementing sound people management practices, employee relations and a climate and culture of high performance.

JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

**People skills**:

- The ability to influence across various levels and functions within the business.
- The ability to communicate effectively at all levels both within, as well as outside the company.
- Excellent interpersonal, people management, team management & leadership skills.
- Conflict management skills.
- The ability to be resilient, have tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure.
- Cross-functional collaboration (essential between Buying, Product Technology & Planning functions).
- The ability to create a shared vision and to positively influence others.
- The ability to give input into company-wide initiatives and translate these into actions required of Buying.
- People management practices, policies & procedures
- Networking skills & the ability to be resourceful.
- The ability to prioritise.
- The ability to be assertive.
- The ability to work independently, as well as be a team player.
- People Development (succession planning).

**Merchant skills**:

- A sound commercial mentality.
- A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA’s retail clothing market, customers, and competitors.
- An understanding of relevant trends with a flair/eye for acceptable product for the relevant target market.
- Relevant product knowledge with regards to styling constructions.
- A flair/eye for product and building ranges.
- An understanding of product components.
- An understanding of the various market value propositions, and the accompanying shopper.
- Excellent negotiating skills.
- Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores.
- Knowledge of specific company buying strategies.
- The ability to analyse, interpret and adapt trends (product, market & societal).
- Good judgment together with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Sound strategic thinking skills, as well as the ability to formulate functional objectives related to business strategy.
- Exceptional planning, organising & time management skills.
- Formulating strategies in a changing global/local context.
- Must be adaptable.
- Must be outcomes focused and solution driven.

**Technical skills**:

- A sound grasp of figures.
- High-level presentation skills. Understanding of retail business systems and related processes - IT.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A relevant degree /qualification in Fashion, Textile Design /Clothing Production/ Product Development /Merchandising, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE:

- Buying experience of which at least 5 years is at a senior level within a clothing/footwear/homeware retail environment.
- Previous senior managerial experience to understand the inner workings and product strategies and philosophies of a business.
- Previous experience in leading a team.
- Integral understanding of the Clothing Retail Cycle & Buying process.
- Experience in developing strategy and implementing strategic interventions in a rapidly changing global and local context.