Overview
Stylish, grounded, uplifting – these values live through everything we do at Boden. We curate a world of beauty that’s ethical, inclusive – and importantly – good fun. We inspire you to live your best life. We are Boden.
Location: 4/5 days per week at our North Acton office, the rest working from home.Contract: 12 Month FTC – candidates applying must be comfortable with this.
What You Will Do
Strategy: Create a clear Product Framework, including attributes each season based on trade learnings, brand direction, customer insight and new opportunities. Trade the department on a weekly basis, be quick to respond, identify opportunities, risk and find solutions. Clear understanding of our brand, customer, and competitors in all trading regions and ensure that all decisions made are customer focused. Understand economic and social trends and question their impact on the business.
Product Development: Drive the development of our amazing product, collaborating closely with internal teams and suppliers. Work closely with the Designers, Technicians and Merchandisers from the start of the development stage to ensure the designs align with the Product Framework and placed with the right suppliers to meet quality and margin targets. Ensure the range reflects core Boden values: Uplifting, Stylish and Grounded. Align with the Fabric team and set out clear fabric price targets each season. Stay up to date with price fluctuations and when resourcing is required. Build and present a balanced, commercial range working closely with Design and Merchandising in line with the Framework and budgets. Deliver the sustainability roadmap.
Supply Base: Create a supplier strategy that meets Boden’s needs each season. Continually look for opportunities through cross costing, new areas of development and risks. Build strong relationships with suppliers and lead supplier performance reviews. Continually assess supply base, ensuring you’re buying from the right source and COO to deliver best price, quality, reliability, flexibility and lead times.
Negotiation and Critical Path: Maximise your negotiation skills to meet each season’s target margin, set targets and understand where you are going to make the biggest impact. Lead the department Critical Path to ensure deliveries are on time and delays are escalated to management with solutions. Ensure deadlines are met taking appropriate action to avoid delivery delays. Communicate production and fabric forecasts to suppliers in order to hold capacity and improve margin. Support the team with understanding quality needs and standards. Ensure garments are always fitted on time and with fit & flatter in mind helping to reduce returns. Manage and keep up to date fabric and liable holdings, collaborating with teams across Boden.
Management: Get the best out of your team by motivating, developing and coaching, always keeping the brand values in mind. Hold weekly 121s and performance reviews setting clear, measurable objectives and giving regular feedback. Recognise talent and manage underperformance. Lead by example and create a culture built on trust. Clearly communicate to get quick decisions to avoid delays, be able to recognise when you can make the decision and what needs to be escalated. Ensure your team keep systems (PLM, S5, PIM) up to date and accurate at all times.
What We Are Looking For
- Relevant experience in a Fashion retailer at Senior Buyer level – preferable to have dresses buying experience.
- Prior management experience, helping to lead a team.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Be creative and have a keen eye for detail.
- Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Be organised, adaptable, strategic and enjoy a challenge.
- Clear communication skills.
- Good problem solving skills.
- Great time management.
- Ability to multitask and work independently.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary & targeted annual bonus scheme.
- Generous Boden clothing allowance – 30% discount on all current clothing ranges.
- 25 days Holiday annually, plus Bank Holidays.
- Online portal with an array of discounts on retail & entertainment.
- Virtual GP Service for you and your household!
- Free onsite parking and subsidised café.
We believe in hiring the best person for the job – whoever they are, helping them thrive in it and celebrating their individuality. We would like to encourage people from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply for our roles. If you need any reasonable adjustments or additional support during your application process, please let us know.
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