Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
1. 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation
2. Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more
3. Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours
4. Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future
5. Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one
6. Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal
7. Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave
8. 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
9. One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you
What you’ll do
Your key accountabilities will include
10. Promote & drive a clear understanding of M&S’ womenswear customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer.
11. Work with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer, driving a digital mind-set through clear leadership on the online product strategy.
12. To analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters.
13. Work closely with other buyers and technical, design, merchandising, marketing, channel teams inc International to review, influence and cohesively deliver both the global product strategy and ranges throughout the Buying process.
14. Leading a trading culture across all levels; spotting opportunities, chasing into new products and working with Merchandising to ensure that failure is identified early and managed appropriately
15. Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to develop appropriate supply routes.
16. Provide leadership and direction to the buying team as well as Sourcing Office.
17. Identify and develop talent within the team, benchmarking across peer group and promoting movement of people within the business
Who you are
Your skills and experience will include
18. Working to at least Senior Buyer level in a fast-paced trading fashion retailer. Extensive own buy experience required in womenswear Swim or a similar product area. Lingerie. Style focussed with a passion for fashion is a requirement.
19. Technical Knowledge and proven track record of developing and trading highly commercial ranges that exceed sales / profit targets
20. In-depth knowledge of cost price negotiations and global sourcing
21. Understanding and delivery of the concepts of brand strategy
22. Good understanding of global retail market place with the ability to identify relevant product trends
23. Strong knowledge of materials used and understanding of material supply base
24. Highly organised approach and commitment to closing and completing tasks. Managing ambiguity effectively – providing clear guidance and planning to teams at all times
25. Ability to lead, coach and manage people to support development and drive success.
26. Proactively agree to take on Buying Lead/ Head of Buying responsibilities where required
27. A digital and global mind-set that supports the growth of international and online business
Everyone’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
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