Position Summary:
This role is responsible for delivery of the Category Strategy by building a Customer Proposition that comprises products ranges which surprise, delight and exceed customers’ expectations, either as your own area of responsibility and / or supporting the C5 Senior Buyer to do so. Working alongside the specialists in Merchandising, Global Design, Global Sourcing, Customer Insights and Commercial Strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
- Be a champion for sustainability through both how we do things and the product we deliver.
- Input into development of channel strategy at category level, working with Digital.
- Beyond own ranges develop knowledge of wider category to support and where necessary deputise for Senior Buyer.
- Role Model positive behaviours, fostering a values-driven culture, where all colleagues can be themselves and fulfil their potential.
- Own product pricing and build clear Price architecture frameworks for your area of responsibility.
- Prepare for regular CRM and Trade meetings by providing commentary and analysis and be an expert in your category market.
- Develop and deliver the range proposition partnering with Merchandising, Global Design, Technical and Global Sourcing to differentiate us vs. the Market. Present to Senior Buyer & Buying Manager for sign off.
- Alongside Merchandising, agree category promotional and events annual plan to maximise customer and commercial metrics.
- Support Senior Buyer to compile Range Strategy and input to Range Framework, lead on product proposition for your own area of responsibility.
- Review ongoing product performance for categories within remit working closely with Merchandising, Technical, Global Sourcing and Global Design.
- Work with Global Sourcing to build strong supplier relationships with DI/DS suppliers. Lead on DDP supplier communication and relationships.
- Work closely with Global Design and Technical to agree product proposition, product requirements, target price & margin framework and quality architecture.
- Review customer, market and competitor analysis to make category level decisions and build the category strategy, proposition and plan.
- Partner with Visual Comms team to ensure instore execution meets category strategy expectations & Digital team to optimise online channel execution.
Required Education & Experience:
- A strategic thinker, who puts the customer at the heart of decision-making, striking the balance between driving business metrics & longer-term objectives, based on optimising the balance of data, multiple perspectives and own intuition.
- Consistently exceeds results through the setting of high standards, and galvanising others around common objectives.
- Broad understanding of the UK retail market, constantly open to seeking new opportunities that create competitive advantage.
- Experience working in the Clothing, Jewellery & Watches markets.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness built in a trading retail environment.
- Demonstrate that you understand the benefit of continuing professional development and exhibit a deep passion for continuous learning and seek to provide and share knowledge widely.
- Ability to gain commitment from other functions in the business that enable you to execute your strategic plan, role modelling positive and agile ways of working.