Buying Manager- Ready to Wear

Role Responsibility

As our  Buying Manager, you will support our Head of/ Director to manage our Womenswear division. You will drive the creative direction of our team, through sourcing new brands and product, as well as negotiating the best terms for Selfridges. You will manage the performance of a buying area and to work cross functionally to drive sales and maximise profitability through a team.

As our Buying Manager you will:

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

The Ideal Candidate

•Previous experience at a buyer level or above

•Strategic vision

•Well-developed understanding of the Womenswear product/market

•Innovative – able to drive and implement new concepts

•Numerate with highly commercial approach

•Excellent interpersonal skills

•Coaching style of management

•Strong negotiator

•Ability to influence

•Ability to motivate others

•Communication and Presentation skills

•Relationship management

About the Company

Rewards and benefits 

Here are just a few of our rewards and benefits that help make our team experience that bit more extraordinary. 

• Flexible working options to benefit you, your family and your wellbeing that can include part-time, flexi-time, job sharing or hybrid working

• Generous annual leave that increases with length of service 

• Up to five paid volunteering days – from beach cleans to co-ordinating food and clothing donations 

• Family leave that suits your set up including Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental leave policies 

• Defined pension contribution scheme  

• Generous bonus and/or commission scheme  

• Enviable team member discount including sale previews and double discount days 

• Exclusive local discounts on a range of restaurants, bars, beauticians and entertainment 

• Subsidised gym memberships  

• A sustainable car salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility criteria)

• Several internal communities to get involved in from our Diversity Board and Green Warriors who are leading the charge on D,E&I and sustainability, to the Wellbeings who are always thinking of new ways to champion healthy minds, bodies and routines for our team members 

• Workplace Options, our confidential team member assistance programme for when life gets tricky or you need a little guidance 

• Access to a wide range of training programmes to help your career development 

Read on to find out how you can play your part in Reinventing Retail… 

Everyone is welcome 

Selfridges is a place where we want everyone to feel a sense of belonging. We embrace every self and are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive working culture. We are leading with purpose to not only increase the visibility and recognition of under-represented talent within our organisation, but the wider industry too. Here at Selfridges, everyone is welcome – irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or disability, we stand by equal opportunities for all.   

To ensure every feels welcome, we offer support at every stage of the application and interview process.  Should you need it, please let your recruitment contact know and they will be more than happy to help.

Our awards cabinet  

We’re not ones to brag, but since you asked...Selfridges has won the award for The World’s Best Department Store an unprecedented four times at the IGDS awards, with an additional award for the Best Sustainability Campaign. We were also recognised as a ‘Best 25 Big Company to Work For 2020’ as awarded by The Sunday Times. 

Selfridges