Senior Buyer at Choice Clothing

Good Hope Sales trading as Choice Clothing (South Africa) and Big Daddy (Namibia) is a commercial fashion retailer that offers ladieswear, men’s wear, kids & infants wear, footwear, accessories, and a small element of home wear. Our customers are of the utmost importance to us as we strive to constantly offer them the great product at affordable prices.

OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:

• To build and source a balanced assortment of merchandise ensuring department sales targets, gross profit, pricing and overall product objectives are met and in line with the approved company strategy.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product

• Accountable to successfully source stock and build ranges congruent with customer profile
• Build balanced assortments in accordance to planned unit requirements (includes stock and made to order product)
• Ensure GP is achieved through mutually beneficial price negotiations
• Build pricing architecture together with Planner to ensure all items are value for money and well-priced in the market
• Develop well thought out test strategy to ensure newness is applied on a continuous basis to seek new opportunities (fabric, silhouette, fit, price) – key suppliers
• Ensure all approvals are actioned within 24 -48 hours (lab dips, strike offs, CADs, fits)
• Present product in all reviews: Range Review, Put-into-stock, Trade Meetings, Post Seasonal, Marketing and Strategy
• Remain abreast of local and international trend and apply to trade accordingly

Admin requirements

• Accurately complete brief sheets and issue to BA as soon as possible
• Ensure all PO information is accurate prior to sign off.
• Drive effective communication within the team (Planner, BA, AA) to ensure all administrative functions are being met
• Attend to all internal and supplier queries timeously
• Ensure all Post Seasonal / SWOT docs are completely correctly and product trends are clearly communicated by Buyer to Planner and implemented forward Strategy

Trade

• Sit with Planner weekly to review (OTB, Weekly trade, Markdowns) and formulate solutions
• React to best sellers timeously to ensure repeat or generic thereof is actioned
• Maintain constant awareness of competitor product, price and opportunities through regular store visits (physical and online)
• Ensure stock offers are timeously advised upon to ensure “deals” are not lost
• Work with planner to agree to penalties / discounts due to non-compliance / late delivery
• Stay informed of any delivery issues raised by team (BA, AA)
• Maintain mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers that are in alignment with company best interest
• Manage poor performance and risk with suppliers that are problematic (discounts, reduction of units)
• Ensure weekly / every second week visit to Stride for stock opportunities
• Ensure all products (stock and made-to-order) are fitted and in congruence with commercial spec
• Make commercial decision together with Garment Technologist for any fit / sizing revisions
• Advise management of any fit concerns
• Actively participate in ensuring Marketing product is prioritized within range assortments
• Drive team to ensure Marketing deadlines are met (BA, AA, Suppliers)
• Ensure all information on Marketing sheet is correctly populated by BA prior to Management receiving
• Approve bulk garments received from team as priority
• Attend to store feedback / concerns and include necessary team members (Planner, Allocator, Manager, BA, AA) in order to resolve
• Ensure New Store Openings are adequately assorted with “deals” in place according to deadline

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND TEAM DYNAMIC:

• Effective time management
• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative
• Facilitate culture of cross-learning / skills transference and being open to learn and share knowledge
• Good understanding of and commitment to the work of Good Hope Sales
• Drive collaboration within team and ensure open communication and transparency
• Demonstrable ability to motivate and enthuse others
• Service- and goal-oriented style
• Innovative and proactive personality
• Seek to understand views of others and respectfully challenge with best interest of the business at the fore of all objectives

REQUIRMENTS:

• Minimum 5 years retail experience
• Tertiary qualification preferred
• Excellent admin skills
• Key negotiating skills
• Great time management
• Team player