BUYER

The Role & Responsibilities

To develop and buy a range of merchandise that achieves profit margin and is consistent with the retailers buying strategy.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To source and develop products from an effective

supplier base.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To be responsible for the negotiation of product prices including delivery and payment terms.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To research and evaluate all relevant

product and market trends.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To communicate

effectively with suppliers, product

teams and senior management within the company.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To work within the

constraints of merchandise planning.

BUYER
The Role & Responsibilities
To effectively

manage and develop the buying team.

A day in the life of a Fashion Retail Buyer

Arrive : 9 a.m. Review sales figures with merchandiser. Refer to MIS, showing sales performance of current season. Review schedule for day (mostly meetings)

A day in the life of a Retail Buyer

Meet with assistant buyer to delegate tasks. Meeting with senior management over the response to last weeks sales. Meeting with designer to discuss colors two seasons ahead.

A day in the life of a Retail Buyer

Meeting with merchandiser to discuss overseas trips.
Back to desk chase up phone calls to suppliers or make fabric selections.

A day in the life of a Retail Buyer

Lunch 1:30 p.m. Back at Office for a meeting with a supplier, negotiating cost prices. Work on products two seasons ahead decisions on trimmings, re-costing products. Continue meeting with merchandiser, planning stock deliveries two seasons ahead.

BUYING COMPETENCIES Personal Characteristics

Commercial with creative flair. Multi-tasking Flexibility Retentive Memory Positive Approach to problems Self-motivated Consistent Temperament People Oriented Tough but fair

BUYING COMPETENCIES Awareness 1. Fashion Awareness

Understands customers changing fashion requirements. Anticipates future looks. Interprets relevant future looks in new ranges. Can improve perceived garment quality. Anticipates and plans for gaps in ranges.

BUYING COMPETENCIES Awareness 2. Commercial Awareness

Can accurately judge the cost and selling prices on seeing garments. Can predict sales potential of a product. Understands the contributions to sales targets of mark-down and repeats. Actively seeks and develop new suppliers.

BUYING COMPETENCIES Awareness

Understands target customers buying behavior. Coordinates buying with other garment types where appropriate.

BUYING COMPETENCIES Planning

Tracks and knows status of all orders for a season through a critical path. Understands the need to prioritise the critical path according to stock needs. Manage time of self and team through effectively sharing and prioritising work. Prepares thoroughly for meetings, negotiations and presentations.

BUYING COMPETENCIES Action

Picks up bargain buying potential for out-of season products. Ensures commercial balance of new fashion and core best selling lines. Reacts to poor sales while minimising price reductions. Stays calm and provide direction to the team in crisis.