Following a period of significant expansion, My client is looking for a passionate and commercially focused Junior Accessories Buyer / Category Manager to join our growing Fashion Team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the Womenswear Accessories category, contributing to the development of a trend-led and commercially successful product range.
Job Overview:
* Reporting to the Department Senior Buyer and Head of Fashion, you will take ownership of a multimillion-pound product category, overseeing its planning, sourcing, and development.
* You will be responsible for building and maintaining a compelling and profitable range that aligns with brand values while exceeding customer expectations.
* Your role will combine strong analytical skills with creative flair, using historical performance data, emerging trends, and market insights to curate an assortment that delivers on key sales, margin, and profit targets.
* You will work closely with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure that every product reflects the right mix of innovation, commercial viability, and brand integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
* Support the delivery of the brand strategy by bringing creative, trend-aware ideas to the accessories category.
* Manage your product area as an independent profit centre, focusing on customer needs, driving sales, and maximising profit.
* Analyse weekly trade reports and customer data to identify sales opportunities and make informed buying decisions.
* Conduct comprehensive end-of-season hindsight and strategic line reviews to inform future planning and guide product development needs.
* Oversee and manage a robust critical path, ensuring adherence to product quality standards and ontime delivery across the supply chain.
* Proactively identify and resolve potential quality issues early in the development cycle.
Desired Skills and Experience:
* Previous buying experience within accessories, womenswear, or fashion retail, ideally in a junior buyer or assistant buyer role.
* A strong commercial eye with a keen interest in fashion trends and customer behaviour.
* Confident in sales and trading analysis with a clear understanding of key financial metrics.
* Solid understanding of product construction, fabrics, materials, and the fashion buying process.
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.
* Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* A degree in a relevant field (fashion, buying, merchandising, business) is preferred but not essential