More about the role

Here, at New Look, everything that we do is for the love of fashion.

We’ve been bringing the latest fashion to the high-street since 1969.  We’re now a global, multichannel brand offering on-trend, value-fashion for women, men and teenage girls.  Even after 50 years we’ve stayed true to our original mission of delivering fabulous products at a price our customers can afford.

It’s our colleagues today that continue our journey to create a New Look that everyone loves.

It’s our values that inspire us every day - we play to win, we are customer obsessed, we work as one and it starts with you.

We are always on the lookout for talented, passionate people to join our New Look team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning

• Understanding the Business Strategy and how that impacts your Department

• Developing and implementing departmental strategy with your Team

• Determining a pricing strategy and price point policy for ranges in conjunction with the Merchandiser

• Seasonal Fabric Planning and Fabric Commitment Management

• Works within the Open To Buy (OTB) targets to maximise the customer proposition across the regions and markets, reflecting the Regional Range Plan

• Applying knowledge of the current competitive market place and trends to drive the direction of the department

• Capacity planning determining the production capacity required to meet changing demands for the product

• Understanding of the Department’s current Customer insights, Market Share and opportunities

• Applying New Look brand and sub-brand strategy to product and range decisions within own area

• Working in conjunction with Marketing and Visual Merchandising to identify opportunities for your department

Buying

• Understanding product trends and interpreting them where relevant into product areas

• Exploiting OTB through product development

• Understanding of the Option Framework and ensuring the Designer is aware of options that require development

• Negotiating the best cost price to achieve departmental margin targets and reacting to market conditions to protect profit

• Developing the right product at the right time, in line with the departmental design brief to meet customer requirements

• Building ranges to option framework to maximise sales and proft and to offer the customer the best assortment

• Understanding the best sourcing route and Supplier for product whilst developing a short lead time route for trading

• Managing and singing off product specification packs, seeing beyond current trends and thinking innovatively to meet the Critical Path

• Working with Design to develop the brief and product, sharing ideas with other product areas to ensure brand / product consistency

• Monitoring Critical Path on Commitment to insure intake targets are met

• Highlighting trial product opportunities for all channels to maximise future sales and reduce risk

• Working with Garment Tech to complete fit sessions in order to develop blocks and fit, that reflects design input and customer trends

• Agreeing packaging requirements and presentation of product in line with the Critical Path

• Managing fabric, print and colour where relevant with the Fabric Team

• Considering opportunities with other business models/ International partnerships

Suppliers

• Identifying new sourcing opportunities and providing focused, clear development direction to the current supplier base

•  Planning production for suppliers in conjunction with the Merchandiser

• Managing Supplier relationships and KPI’s along with the Supply Base Team

Trading

• Fully manage the Critical Path from concept through to Buying, making adaptations (where required) to react to market changes and challenges

• Reviewing current sales with the Merchandiser, reacting appropriately to maximise sales opportunity whist predicting emerging trends to increase market share

• Understanding the implications of Weekly Sales & Stock Intake (WSSI) changes on Range Building and responds accordingly

• Sharing of information where relevant on Product, Suppliers, Best /Worst sellers within the business area and across other business areas

Product Awareness

• Monitor, maintain and action a full competitor analysis, and present ideas to gain competitor advantage

Team 

• Managing an effective Team, prioritising workload  to ensure tasks are completed on time

• Motivating, training and developing direct reports

• Demonstrating collaborative working and support with Merchandising, Design and Technical colleagues

• Acting as a positive role model for the Team and peers

Technical Skills

• PC literate - Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook

• Knowledge of all the elements that make up the cost of a product

• Understanding of supply chain issues / cost – (e.g. product lead times/ flexibility/ supplier capability)

• Ability to develop and build a comprehensive product range based on agreed option framework in the Assortment Planning Tool

• Understanding of packaging and presentation of a product to the Customer

• A comprehensive knowledge of the current competitive market place (comparative shopping)

• Understanding launch plans, phasing and sale dates

• Ability to identify relevant product trends in the Global retail market place (directional shopping)

• Ability to put together a comprehensive and clear design brief (in conjunction with the Designer and Garment Technologist

• Ability to confidently review sales data

• Risk assessment and SWOT analysis skills

• Numerical and analytical skills

Other Essential Skills

• Customer knowledge

• Solid negotiation and influencing skills

• Experience of operating in an unstable economic climate

• Multi product experience

• Great interpersonal / communication skills

• Ability to line manage, train and develop a Team

• Ability to initiate, build and maintain strong relationships with Design, Merchandising, Garment Tech and Suppliers

• Excellent presentation skills

• Can work under pressure whilst maintaining a positive attitude for the Team

• Communicate effectively with all internal and external teams

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience as a Junior Buyer / Buyer within a major retailer / department within New Look

• Fashion Qualification / Other degree desirable

Why New Look?

The amazing people, the love of fashion, the 4pm Friday finishes – there are so many reasons to love working at New Look.

We offer training to support you and your career progression, so that you can be at your absolute best.

You’ll also receive these amazing benefits:

• 40% staff discount

• Monthly 25% off  privilege vouchers for family and friends to enjoy

• Quarterly sample sales

• Season ticket loans

Apply now to find out more.