United Kingdom
A creative and driven Fashion Buying & Business Professional with 15 years experience across different segments of the Menswear Market both in the U.K and Internationally buying for the European Market with expertise in Design & Trend Forecasting, Fabric & Textiles, Buying & Product Development, Sourcing, Production & Supply Chain Management, Merchandising & Trading as well as Omni Channel & Digital Retailing. I am currently looking to use my experience and knowledge for opportunities in Lecturing across Fashion Buying, Management & Marketing Degree Courses both in the UK and Internationally to teach and inspire the next generation of Fashion Industry Professionals.
• Buyer for Young Men's Fashion with a focus on the Central European Market selling on varied Digital Platforms • Responsible for planning, product development, range building and trading across Outerwear, Casual Trousers, Woven Shorts & Denim • Establish Range Planning Framework with Merchandising for the season with recommendations on price point width and product mix • Advise Design on framework for range development, advise on bestsellers and core newness to be covered • Manage fabric direction for the season and brief design and suppliers accordingly • Work within target price framework and negotiate all quantities and prices with suppliers • Work closely with departments such as content creation, online marketing and QA to ensure correct styling, delivery and on-line information to ensure best on line & digital experience for the customer • Manage trading from on-line perspective to ensure best on line availability to customer through appropriate action (new season re-tagging, product deactivation) • Monitor trading activity across broad brand portfolio on Zalando main website to influence and manage shape of the Your Turn range across various international markets • Use sales and customer engagement information from digital platforms to influence product mix and product availability across different international markets • Research product opportunities in different European Markets to influence product and price pointing decisions • Manage an international supply base (European and Far East) to grow and protect margin and grow product handwriting and opportunities
● Responsible for 320 option Jersey range annually, 120 option Outerwear range annually ● Product development & research, market & trend research, sourcing and developing seasonally appropriate & commercial ranges ● Work closely with the Design Team to develop product framework and identify new trends in fabrics and fashion supported by domestic and international shopping trips ● Work closely with the Merchandiser to develop Departmental Strategy for upcoming seasons and decide on quantities, pricing and range phasing based on historical sales analysis in the context of current trends and market demands ● Work closely with the Web team to develop E-Commerce strategy and product proposition to grow Web sales ● Development of the trialling strategy to enhance flexibility of supply chain and protect margin ● Management of the existing supply chain across long and short lead times from Europe to the Far East ● Identification of new suppliers to enhance product offer and margin growth ● Management of the buying budget and OTB to deliver company set margin and sales ● Negotiations with suppliers and vendors to deliver margin targets and timely deliveries and delivery of sourcing strategy supported by international travel to suppliers across Europe and Asia ● Liaise with other functions within in the business such as garment technology, pattern cutting and fabric sourcing to ensure credible, commercial and trend relevant ranges ● Leadership: Manage 3 junior members of the buying team, including a Junior Buyer and Assistant Buyer, to ensure successful running of the department and their own personal development and mentoring ● Present ranges to Senior Management and Directors for range sign off and trade
Throughout my Buying career I have visited various Universities including The University of Westminster, Central St. Martins and The Fashion Retail Academy to deliver Guest Lectures and Academic Feedback on a wide range of subjects relevant to the Fashion Industry and Buying Role, including: - The Role of The Buyer in The Fashion Industry - The relationship of the Buyer with other functions within a fashion business organisation - Sourcing and Supply Chain Management - The lifecycle of a garment from conception to delivery - Buying and Visual Merchandising including the management of a workshop to demonstrate the impact of the buying role on visual merchandising principles