Ben Sherman started out in 1963 producing standout button down shirts from a factory in Brighton. Over 6 decades later the brand is still producing standout shirts, but has also expanded to a full lifestyle collection rich in the brands DNA. From the early days the brand has been linked to music and British subcultures and that remains a core aspect of the brands appeal today.
If you are passionate about being part of a British Heritage brand’s journey, why not join us?
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the buying strategy for mainline
wholesale & retail to source and develop the commercial product
assortment, meeting the customer requirements.
- Ensure margin targets are achieved and
provide a strategic vision of both short and long-term margin potential. Lead
cross costing process each season to ensure best price across all product
categories.
- Manage the critical path planning process,
ensure on time delivery from concept to in store launch.
- Build and maintain strong vendor
relationships to negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery timelines.
- Analyse sales, margin and supply
chain data to make informed buying decisions.
- Elevated decision maker and
trusted problem solver for your department with the ability to make
decisions with consideration of the wider impact.
- Extensive product knowledge –
ability to engineer a garment to reduce the cost impact of detail and
design without affecting the key details.
- Collaborate with cross-functional
teams (Design, Planning, Merchandising, E-commerce) to develop assortments
and plan Retail Buys for both Mainline and Outlet.
- Manage agenda for monthly
meetings with Brand Owner.
- Lead on product development and
planning for special projects, e.g. collaborations, special buys for
marketing.
- Present seasonal buy to senior
leadership with clear rationale and performance projections.
- Attend sign off meetings with
Brand owners.
- Build range plans in
collaboration with Merchandise.
- Benchmark competitors and lead
the team on pricing architecture.
- Manage the supply chain effectively building
relationships and sourcing new suppliers as and when required. Ensure current
suppliers are measured seasonally and work with them to make any needed
improvements.
- Complete sign off sheets for all proposed
buys with 100% accuracy.
- Manage the e-commerce photography
requirements for all departments. Working with external studios to plan in all
shoots on time to CP and within budget standards. Manage the delivery of
imagery to all required departments.
- Responsible for chairing supplier meetings
and travelling to factories/mills when required in the UK and Internationally.
- Full understanding of customer needs to
maximise profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at
competitive prices.
Accountability:
- Achievement of agreed budgeted margins
on all products.
- On time delivery of all garments to
agreed quality standards.
- Products are commercially produced and
new trends identified and delivered in line with high street competitors.
Knowledge/skills
- At least 3 years working in a Senior
Buying role within a clothing-based business, ideally men’s casualwear.
- Management and leadership experience
essential with a proven track record of managing a team to deliver commercially
relevant, on-trend clothing.
- Experience of retail and trading.
- Extensive fabric knowledge across
wovens and knits.
- Thorough understanding of Men’s Casualwear.
- Knowledge of product development & production
process from design concept to delivered goods.
- An understanding of shipping terms,
export & import process along with direct working with overseas suppliers.
- Broad knowledge & understanding of
the clothing industry and trading environments.
- Ability to work under pressure / to timelines.
- Self-motivated and motivating.
- Commercial awareness.
- To be numerate and proficient in the
relevant IT programmes.
- Strong communication and presentation
skills.
- Good organisational skills.
- Efficient Negotiation skills.
- Build strong and lasting relationships
through supply chain & customer base.
- Confident communicator & presenter.
Experience
- 3 years in a senior buying
role (ideally in men’s casualwear).
- Proven leadership
experience in managing buying teams.
- Experience with
retail and trading in clothing.
- Overseas supplier
liaison and knowledge of import/export processes.