Buyer - Menswear International and Contemporary Footwear & Accessories

BUYER - MENSWEAR INTERNATIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES - KNIGHTSBRIDGE 

Resource, recommend and buy an appropriate merchandise range for assigned departments to meet agreed sales, stock, mark-down and profit targets in line with the overall Company buying strategy and to provide secondary support to the Buying Manager across all relevant functions.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

•  Research, prepare and present product ranges to the Head of Buying to meet the above, taking into account sales history, fashion trends and space allocation to products and product seasonality.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of existing and potential suppliers and manufacturers at home and overseas and build successful relationships with suppliers through regular and effective communication.
•   Resource, select, recommend and buy a commercial range of product within each area in accordance with agreed buying objectives, ensuring that selected product meets overall strategic guidelines in terms of price and fashionability and category mix.
•   Attendance of Buying appointments throughout the year, which may require travel both in and outside of the UK.
• Regularly review each individual market, closely monitoring competitor’s activity and trends within product area.
• Establish and negotiate the best possible terms to provide planned gross margins and stock turn.
• Effective liaison with the Assistant Buyer, Buyers Administrator & warehouse to ensure the timely receipt of goods into the stores, phasing planned intake in order to meet sales, stock, mark-down and profit targets.

Ensure the timely receipt of goods into the stores through: -

• accurate monitoring of deliveries
•  import management
•  effective liaison with the warehouse
•  Manage cancellations to ensure that the stock levels at any given time reflect the up-to-date sales picture. 

  Initiate, plan and recommend ways of improving sales performance, especially with regard to:

• Visual Merchandising
•  Promotional Activity
• Staff Training
• Negotiated supplier contributions where applicable
• Prepare and present seasonal financial and brand plans to the Head of Buying and Group Fashion Buying Director, in preparation for the seasonal Range Review to the CEO and Board.
• Review planned margin, terminal stock and mark-down regularly with the Buying Manager to meet the above.
•  Ensure data integrity to manage accurate data reporting.
•  Action weekly sales information in order to highlight requirements for repeat orders, mark-downs and range changes and review this formally with the Buying Manager.
•  Ensure that the department buying team are recruited and trained in order to develop potential and meet Company requirements.

Online Responsibilities

•   Work closely with online team in both e-commerce and web marketing teams to ensure the best range of brands and products is available online including securing exclusives.
•    Manage all aspects of launching and maintaining a brand online

A BIT ABOUT YOU

• Negotiation skills
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal & written)
• Has a ‘can-do’ enthusiastic attitude
• A natural relationship builder, with the ability to work independently
• Intermediate skills in using Microsoft Office (Excel & Word)
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good organisation skills
• Able to lead and motivate a team

ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE

• Proven Buying experience
• A good understanding of the market trends
• Previous team management experience
• Previous budget management experience

All your hard work, rewarded:

Our colleagues are as important to us as our customers. When working with us you will be introduced to a huge variety of benefits including:

• Flexible working
• Very generous staff discount plus annual clothing allowance

About us

Since Harvey Nichols first opened in Knightsbridge in 1831, it has led the way in sourcing the most desirable and cutting-edge designer brands. The ultimate fashion experience, exclusive, niche and established labels sit alongside accessible everyday collections, offering customers the must-have edit for all their wardrobe needs – from every day to extraordinary. We are fearlessly stylish and encourage our customers and team members to be the same.