Job Description
Role: Senior Buyer - Womenswear
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: FatFace HQ, Havant, Hampshire PO9 1QJ
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based)
Who are we?
For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.
Our mission statement:
Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.
We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 Best Places to Work 2025 and Best Places to Work for Women 2025.
Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.
Who are we?
For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.
Our mission statement:
Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.
Our Product formula:
Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.
We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 best places to work 2025 and best places to work for women 2025.
Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.
Role Summary
As a Senior Buyer, you will develop trend-led, profitable ranges, whilst maintaining brand integrity through product alignment. You will select, rank, negotiate and trade products to drive category performance. You will drive the team to deliver a budget beating department.
Role Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Leadership
* Own and deliver the end-to-end category strategy, including seasonal vision and long-term growth plans.
* Partner with senior stakeholders to drive business objectives and innovation.
Category Development
* Build balanced, commercial ranges with price architecture informed by market research.
* Negotiate costs, monitor KPIs, and ensure product fit integrity.
* Support wholesale division and deliver seasonal vision.
* Collaborate with Buying Manager/Head of Buying on strategy and innovation.
Critical Path Management
* Manage timelines and sign-off dates to ensure product launches meet availability targets.
* Oversee trading and planning calendar and maintain launch integrity.
Systems & Compliance
* Maintain data accuracy and ensure approvals and compliance.
* Support wider team with system training needs, utilising super users.
Financial Accountability
* Own margin, profitability, and budget sign-off.
* Make in-season trading decisions to optimize profitability and manage commitments.
Cross-Functional Influence
* Represent category strategy at senior and board-level meetings.
* Influence company-wide initiatives and seasonal vision presentations.
Supplier Strategy
* Lead global supplier negotiations and secure strategic partnerships.
* Maintain strong supplier relationships to support product execution.
Trend & Market Leadership
* Define seasonal direction and influence design and marketing.
* Conduct competitor and market analysis to inform strategy and price architecture.
People Leadership & Collaboration
* Manage, train, and develop Buyers, Assistant Buyers, and Trainees.
* Foster cross-functional collaboration with design, merchandising, tech, marketinga and finance teams.
Business Values & Mission
* Act as an ambassador for FatFace values and mission.
* Champion social and environmental initiatives within your remit.
Skills and Experience
* Degree or equivalent qualification in Fashion or related field.
* Proven buying experience at Buyer or senior buyer level.
* Strong negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
* Highly numerate with ability to analyse data and manage budgets.
* Team leadership and problem-solving capabilities.
* Excellent planning and organizational skills with adaptability to business needs.
* Expert negotiation and ability to secure strategic supplier agreements.
* Leadership and people development skills for managing and mentoring teams.
* Commercial decision-making with strong analytical and strategic thinking.
* Systems proficiency (e.g., BRP, PIM) and ability to maintain data accuracy.
* Market insight and trend forecasting expertise.
Role Competencies
* Passion for product and brand.
* Comprehensive understanding of buying principles, garment construction, and supply chain.
* Strong commercial awareness and customer insight.
* Proficient in buying systems and Microsoft applications.
Collaboration and Deliverables:
Collaboration
☐ External Agency or Consultant
☒ External Supplier
☐ NEXT Business Partners
☐ FatFace Directors
☐ Store Teams
☒ Internal Product Teams (Design, Buying, Merchandising)
☒ Internal Support Teams (Finance, IT, Retail Operations, People, Compliance, Property)
☒ Internal Creative Teams (Marketing, Creative, Studio)
☒ Industry Networking
Deliverables
☒ Department Spend vs Budget
☒ Team Performance and Development
☒ Compliance and Governance Requirements
☐ Commercial Reporting
☒ Project Delivery
☒ Timelines and Deadlines
☒ Resource Planning
FatFace Benefits:
Financial & Protection Benefits
* Sick pay allowances
* Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
* Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
* Dental insurance (colleague-funded)
Discounts & Perks
* 60% off FatFace products
* 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
* O2 phone discount
* Discounted gym membership
* Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
* EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
* Perkbox – our online platform offering:
* Day-one access
* Exclusive brand discounts
* Wellbeing content
* Home workouts and more
Health & Wellbeing
* Specsavers eye care scheme
* Eye tests and contributions to glasses
* Free period products
* EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support
Learning & Development
* THRIVE – our learning management system:
* Day-one access
* 1,000s of learning resources
Time Off & Leave
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
* Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
* Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.
Additional Perks
* Refer a Friend scheme
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.