Buying Manager- Home (FTC)

This role requires: 

• Significant buying experience in Design/ Home category. Specifically, experience in planning and implementing new product strategies; leading identification and onboarding of new brands; collaborating on creating new retail display concepts; and aligning visual merchandising and display standards with range plans.
• Management experience, including buying team leadership and cross-functional collaboration with retail operations, marketing/ PR, visual/ creative, and store planning/ property managers

As our Buying Manager you will:

•Work with the Head of Buying to develop and implement the creative strategy for the Home division 

•Source new brands and product to ensure that Selfridges remains at the leading edge, through thorough knowledge and expertise of the product and market

•Negotiate the best possible terms with suppliers i.e. margin, trade discounts, markdown support

•Be responsible for driving sales and profit, ensuring that Buying decisions are based on a sound commercial framework

•Work closely with the Merchandise team to plan the OTB and to monitor and review in season, taking action where necessary.

•Be responsible for range planning, working closely with the Merchandiser Manager

•Manage existing brands through analysis of performance, taking action when necessary and making decision to keep or discontinue within the business

•Manage concessions through regular meetings with the concession manager and analysis of performance, making recommendations to keep or discontinue within the business

•To ensure effective communication with retail operations teams, particularly with regard to new season launches and product training

•Drive work closely with Social Media, Marketing, PR and Digital teams to maximise promotional opportunities during negotiations with suppliers

•Work with Property where necessary to ensure new concepts are implemented effectively

•Work closely with Retail Management and VM to ensure product placement optimises the look and performance of the department

•Be responsible for the ordering process, ensuring Buying teams are complying with the ordering processes and supporting the admin team in identifying and dealing with errors.

•Manage and develop a team ensuring processes are in place for training and development, succession planning and communication

•Work with legal team on contract negotiations and concession management

•Identify new concepts, drive and present CAPEX’s and implement through property

•Support seasonal activity

A bit about you

• Significant buying experience in Design/ Home category. Specifically, experience in planning and implementing new product strategies; leading identification and onboarding of new brands; collaborating on creating new retail display concepts; and aligning visual merchandising and display standards with range plans.
• Management experience, including buying team leadership and cross-functional collaboration with retail operations, marketing/ PR, visual/ creative, and store planning/ property managers

•Strategic vision

•Innovative – able to drive and implement new concepts

•Numerate with highly commercial approach

•Excellent interpersonal skills

•Strong negotiator

•Ability to influence

•Ability to motivate others

•Communication and Presentation skills

•Relationship management