Buyer - Sports Direct

Purpose of the Role:The Buyer is responsible for developing and executing the product assortment strategy for Sports Direct across retail and partner stores. The role ensures the right product is in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price, driving revenue, margin, and consumer demand. By leveraging consumer insights, sales analytics, market trends, and seasonal brand stories, the Buyer delivers curated assortments that elevate the brands, optimize in-season performance, and achieve financial objectives.What you will do:Collaborate with the Senior Buyer to interpret the company's product strategy into cohesive and representative product rangesAdhere to brand product strategy to maintain a consistent and strong market positionWork with the Senior Buyer to balance the product range for the target consumer, considering factors such as price points, styles, and fashion trendsContinuously review the in-season collection to maximize range, sales, and profitCollaborate with the Senior Buyer to analyse competitor product ranges and actions to ensure a leading market positionStay informed about market trends and competitive activitiesInterface with different functions of the business, including planning and merchandising, to ensure a constant flow of informationCoordinate with VM and Marketing for the implementation of Marketing/VM/Trade calendarsWork with the Senior Buyer to drive opportunities using the critical path, ensuring maximum flexibility to decrease markdown risk and maximize salesReview department performance on a regular basis and propose action for trading out of poor-performing areas and buying into successful areasCollaborate with VM and Marketing to ensure the correct implementation of the Marketing/VM/Trade calendarsUnderstand the market and competition well, staying up to date with trendsMeet deadlines in buying calendars and critical pathCollaborate with the Planner and Trader to ensure merchandise is phased in according to divisional strategyResponsible to classify and align purchased products Categories within the company's Banner categorization framework, to ensure consistency in inventory planning & reportingHow you will be measured:Financial TargetsOn-time completion of seasonal buys Product selection success rate (sell-through > X%) at Full Price (FP)Markdown value on bought styles Seasonal buy vs budget accuracy Speed of in-season top-up/reorder decisionsStakeholder EngagementEffective collaboration with Country Retail Managers to ensure effective product strategyEffective collaboration with Planner and Traders to ensure accuracy of OTBIn collaboration with Marketing and Visual Merchandiser, ensuring effective marketing campaign roll-outCompetencies required:Strong collaboration skills / Team playerStrategic planningHighly effective communication skillsFinancial acumenProblem solving skillsAnalytical mindsetSelf-motivatedLeadership skillsWhat you will bring to the role:Diploma in Business Administration, Finance, or another relevant field2 years of experience as a Buyer or similar within a medium to large size retailerComputer proficiency with advanced knowledge of ExcelStrong aptitude with numbers and clear understanding of retail math skillsStrong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and meet deadlinesAbility to communicate persuasively, influentially, and responsibly across a broad spectrum of stakeholdersExcels in team-environments and in building and developing strong interpersonal relationships, while maintaining an individual determination to accomplish goals