Buyer - RTW Evening and Designer wear for Womens - Department stores

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Buyer to join our Buying team, with strong expertise across our prestigious portfolio of Luxury Ready-to-Wear, Eveningwear, and Designer Womenswear within a high-volume, multi-brand environment.

The role is responsible for planning and identifying product requirements, sourcing and purchasing the right quantities to meet customer demand while maximizing profitability. You will play a critical role in shaping fashion-forward assortments, driving sell-through, and supporting the overall retail strategy.

This position requires a strong commercial mindset to ensure a competitive and commercially viable product range that is aligned with market trends, luxury brand positioning, and business objectives.

Responsibilities Buying & Merchandising

• Plan and select product ranges, type, quality, and quantities in line with customer demand, market trends, budgets, and sell-through targets, in collaboration with the Division Merchandise Manager (DMM/GMM).
• Execute purchasing activities according to approved brand purchase plans.
• Monitor stock levels across stores and work closely with Planning to ensure optimal inventory levels.
• Review weekly sales performance against targets and recommend corrective buying strategies.
• Analyze buy feedback and sales data to recommend continuation, liquidation, or discontinuation of product lines.

Market & Trend Analysis

• Analyze market trends, seasonal demand, consumer preferences, and competitor activity to inform buying decisions.
• Conduct regular store visits across markets to assess brand performance and competitive positioning.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and principals, ensuring adherence to contract terms.
• Negotiate with suppliers for training support and commercial terms where applicable.
• Prepare periodic performance and trend reports for internal stakeholders and principals.

Marketing, PR & Promotions Support

• Support Marketing and PR teams by validating product selections for campaigns.
• Ensure merchandise availability for promotions in the right quantities and timelines.

People & Leadership

• Provide guidance, motivation, and development support to team members.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with business goals.

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
• Qualification in Retailing, Retail Management, Buying, Sales, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• 5-8 years of end-to-end Buying experience within the retail high-end luxury sector.
• Minimum 3 years of dedicated experience in Luxury Ready-to-Wear, Eveningwear, and Designer Womenswear, with exposure to high-volume, multi-brand environments.
• Strong expertise in planning and identifying product requirements, sourcing the right quantities to meet customer demand while maximizing profitability, and contributing to fashion-forward assortments and overall retail performance.

Core Competencies

• Customer Focus & Commercial Acumen
• Strong Analytical & Market Awareness
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
• Agile Learner with Attention to Detail

Leadership Competencies

• Drive for Results
• Priority Setting & Decision Making
• People Development & Coaching