Buyer - Footwear & Accessories

Matalan; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A retail company in the UK is seeking a Footwear & Accessories Buyer to manage product ranges and achieve sales targets. The role involves coordinating style, building supplier relationships, and collaborating with marketing. Candidates should have previous buying experience in footwear and accessories, strong leadership skills, and the ability to adapt to change. The position includes opportunities for career development and benefits like staff discounts, wellbeing support, and life assurance.

Benefits

20% staff discount

Wellbeing support

Life Assurance

Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience as a Buyer or Assistant Buyer.
• Essential experience in Footwear & Accessories.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Ability to drive results aligned with company strategy.
• Willingness to travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate department look and style.
• Build relationships with suppliers.
• Collaborate with Merchandising team for campaign ranges.
• Prepare presentations for department heads.
• Manage product launches and team workflow.
• Negotiate product costs with suppliers.
• Develop departmental strategy aligned with KPIs.

Skills

Leadership skills

Negotiation

Commercial acumen

Ability to adapt to change

Job description

Overview

We’re currently looking for a Footwear & Accessories Buyer to join our team, to be responsible for creating and promoting a range of products for each season, in order to achieve sales, stock and margin targets for the department.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate both the look and style of the full range of the department.


• Establish and maintain good relationships with existing and potential suppliers, attending trade shows, buying trips and competitor shopping trips as and when required.


• Work closely with the Merchandising team to propose ranges/products for marketing campaigns and events, including ‘The Show’, following the key looks driven by Marketing.


• Prepare and present to Heads of department and Directors at range selection and sign off meetings.


• Plan product launches in line with divisional launch dates and ensure the ranges land on time by effectively managing the junior team and critical path.


• Manage and develop the team, an Assistant and Trainee Assistant Buyer, setting and managing objectives alongside day to day distribution of workload.


• Negotiate costs with supply base on new and core products to meet BIM requirements.


• Create the strategy for the department alongside the Merchandising team to fit in with divisional KPIs.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Successfully held a Buyer role or an experienced Assistant Buyer role


• Footwear & Accessories experience essential


• Experience within a fast paced fashion retail environment


• Able to demonstrate strong leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate in the workplace


• Ability to drive and deliver results in line with company strategy


• Quick learner able to deal with & manage change


• Strong commercial acumen


• Able to travel when the business requires

From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here.

We know as a team, we are stronger together – we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth.

We want give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits:

• 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service


• Thrive Recognition Scheme


• Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust


• Life Assurance


• Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers


• Pension Scheme


• Access to a wide range of career development


• Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business