Manager - Buying

Job Description

Objective:

This position is responsible for leading the planning and selection of merchandise that aligns with brand strategy, customer demand, and financial goals. This role ensures timely buying, effective supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize product performance and profitability.

Key Responsibility:

Business Strategy:

• Drive seasonal strategies in alignment with brand positioning to support the Gross Margin Plan.
• Develop an assortment and investment strategy tailored to customer preferences and market trends.
• Create sourcing development plans and execute critical path activities to ensure timely product delivery.
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, payment terms, freight costs, training provisions, and marketing participation to finalize purchase orders.
• Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning in coordination with the planning team.
• Deliver the seasonal business strategy by influencing product selection, range building, and managing key milestones.
• Develop and manage the seasonal buying calendar to ensure timely decision-making.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Visual Merchandising to formulate seasonal product focus plans and initiatives.
• Sustain current business lines while identifying and building new product categories.
• Conduct customer focus groups and competitive benchmarking to inform buying decisions.
  
  

• Analysis and reporting of weekly sales performance at style, range, category and business unit level against range plan. Take in season action to revise production flows and maximize sales
• Manage TNA plans
• Implement the buying calendar for timely seasonal analysis and range build
• Perform regular competitor surveys to identify product gaps, influence lessons learnt and range plans
• Manage range and product hierarchy and create the seasonal phasing plan
• Responsible for the ‘The Look’ for the season. Influence product selection, in-store VM as per guidelines and layout planning
• Keep abreast of market trends and awareness of competitor activities
• Manage the product training of staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge. Prepare regular trends training and deliver to the business units
• Review buying feedback reports and provide recommendations to General Manager as to buying strategy for a respective brand/collection
  
  

• 6–8 years of experience in retail buying or merchandising, with 1–3 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Solid knowledge of assortment planning, inventory control, OTB (Open-to-Buy) tracking, and vendor coordination.
• Skilled in analyzing sales performance, identifying trends, and making data-informed purchasing decisions to support category growth.
• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams including planning, visual merchandising, and store operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related discipline.