Fashions Buying Manager

GET TO KNOW USAt Brown Thomas Arnotts, we exist to imagine and create a sustainable future for our People, Customers and Communities. Our Values, Do the Right Thing, Go Above and Beyond and Drive Creativity and Innovation remain at the heart of everything we do. We are Reinventing Retail and the way we work to enable our teams to be more agile, flexible and responsive to our customer’s needs. KNOW THE ROLE We are looking for an Ambitious, Commercial and Strategic Buying Manager ready for a new challenge with Brown Thomas Arnotts Fashions Buying team. In this role you will be an inspiring market leader who will deliver on our commitment to Reinventing Retail and achieve an experience that excites and enhances our customer’s lives. As a curious individual and critical thinker, you’ll look beyond the obvious to identify opportunities and make sound decisions and strategic moves for the business. You will support, lead, manage and motivate individual fashion buying teams within the Brown Thomas Arnotts fashion buying division. As a Buying Manager you will be working alongside your fashion buying teams to ensure that commercial, yet profitable product ranges are developed and bought in order to maximise profit and sales. You will oversee a number of our buying teams supported by our excellent buyers, ensuring that all are working in conjunction with the buying strategy, the needs of the customer and the Brown Thomas Arnotts Vision. Responsible for the overall management of the buying teams, our next fashion Buying Manager will have come from a strong senior buying position, and will possess the skills and qualities that a strong buyer will require including outstanding negotiation skills. Responsible for delivering a solid commercial plan for the selected categories, working closely with the Fashion Director, Head of Trade, Buying Teams and Merchandise teamDetermine and implement transformative buying plans coordinating the activities of the team and ensuring that optimum quality merchandise is available in the quantities appropriate to achieving budgeted sales and gross profitAccountable for buying decisions based on a sound commercial framework to drive sales and profit. You will be aware of trends in public opinion, taste and understand their implications for the business. Applying your knowledge, you will drive the categories – keeping us one-step ahead of our competitors.Analyse sales for the business and identify areas of improvements. Use your experience to manage and build commercial and business relationships with our suppliers and partners, monitor and evaluate existing suppliers.Ensure all vendor terms are managed ensuring monthly gross profit reports are checked, cost to sell and payroll terms are all being actioned correctlySet clear targets for direct reports, monitor the results achieved and give continuous feedback. Ensure the team are fully informed and supported to deliver their targetsHave full oversight on high-level stock related data and insights. Clearly define metrics such as Season forecasting, OTB, Stock levels, Stock clearance, RTV, Breakstocks and season forecasting across all brandsManage the movement of stock from vendor to store. With the buyers managing range planning ensure there is product availability at all timesBe aware of competitors both bricks and mortar and online sites ensuring we are projecting our brand stronger and not missing any opportunitiesCollaborate with the Fashion Director and Head of Trade to prepare and review all associated budgets and to ensure you work within limits set in order to achieve target sales and marginsTo engage regularly with the Digital and Retail operations team to ensure that merchandise is allocated to the correct space on and offline to achieve maximum return per square foot and that it is well presentedEngage in regular floor walks to exchange information, receive feedback and take appropriate action based on performancePartner with Marketing and Creative leaders to ensure the creative commitment is delivered and impact realisedAttend buying trips and participate in the buying process ensuring that merchandise quality, mix and taste reflects brands imageTo plan merchandise promotions, advertising in consultation with Marketing, Buyers and Retail OperationFoster an inclusive workplace and develop a strong buying team by supporting their growth. Assist in the recruitment, selection and appraisal of Buyers and Buying Office support teams KNOW WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR The ideal candidate will be a passionate senior buying professional looking for the next step in their career or operating at this level and looking for a new challenge.A forward thinker, you’ll be up to speed on seasonal trends and have the ability to create strong working relationships with our suppliers.Strong leadership skills and an ability to inspire Buying teams.Commercially focused, experience with budgets and a proven ability to achieve commercial targets. KNOW WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOUWe believe that every team member should have the opportunity to a meaningful career that enhances professional and personal development. That is why; we foster a culture of belonging and inclusiveness, one that provides learning and purpose. We show respect for individual needs and circumstances and we enable our people to work in a way that best suits their unique lifestyles and their roles. We place trust in our teams to do the right thing for Brown Thomas Arnotts and keep our customers and team at the heart of our decision-making. Competitive SalaryContributory Pension SchemeCompetitive annual leave entitlementTeam Member discount across the world’s most iconic brandsRecognition Days for Volunteering & WellbeingWellbeing InitiativesExtensive Learning & Development OfferingsLeading Talent ProgrammesFlexible Working ModelAdditional Benefits KNOW HOW WE WORKWe Drive Creativity and Innovation: Creativity runs through our veins and fuels everything we do. We are an enterprising team that thinks outside the box to bring new ideas to life and to create unrivalled experiences designed for our customers and our world. Fostering a culture of innovation, we keep ahead of the rest while growing sustainably.We Go Above and Beyond: As agents of change within our industry we set the standard, always leading, never imitating. We love to go where others haven't and thrive on sharing our knowledge and expertise. We work to surpass expectations, inspiring everyone who comes in to contact with our brands.We Do the Right Thing: We respect our world and everyone we interact with. Acting with decency, honesty and transparency, we strive to ensure that everything we contemplate or do, contributes to a sustainable future. Embracing diversity and inclusivity we build trust among our customers, partners, communities and with each other. Brown Thomas Arnotts is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where culture and creativity come together. Our future success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all team members – their diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences make our business stronger. We don’t discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership of the Travelling community. #BTACareers