Buying Director

Job description / Role

A regional Middle Eastern Retail Group who is looking to develop their own modest fashion brand is seeking a Buying Director. This person will be responsible for the development, sourcing and buying of the product collection with associated commercial strategy and delivery of each seasonal range assortment as per company trading calendar. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is entrepreneurial and interested in creating a global modest fashion brand.

*Please note there is the flexibility regarding location for this role however it is preferable for someone to relocate to the GCC*

Primary Responsibilities
* Responsible for defining and developing the range trends, mix and assortment based on brand style directions and predefined budget parameters.
* Working closely with designer (internal and external) to develop the collection
* Negotiating and overseeing development of collections with established designers
* Achieve/exceed sell through rate and stock turn as per agreed seasonal plan.
* Identify suitable suppliers in order to ensure product quality meets required standards
* Implement critical path for seasonal collections to ensure timely delivery as per trading calendar requirements.
* Negotiate prices with suppliers to ensure competitiveness and achieve/exceed margin target.
* Develop a seasonal range brief to ensure the right product mix for each store and achieve consistency of presentation.
* Create a culture and a vehicle through which gather and analyze feedback from store team with the objective to identify improvement opportunities.
* Regularly analyze the competition and be aware of new trends.
* Manage and develop the buying team through a talent management and appraisal process.
* Use available system data and formalize range review process at the end of each season.
* Regularly investigate new sourcing opportunities to improve margin levels, product/service quality and timeline.
* Define and monitor SLA with each supplier to guarantee quality and improve on service level.
* Carry out a seasonal training to store sales team as with regards to collection seasonal trends and selling features.

Additional Requirements
* Contribute to the development of the annual trading and marketing plan.
* Contribute to the development of the trading calendar by formalizing a launch date for each of the seasonal/sub seasonal collection in line with market requirements.
* Attend and contribute to regular management meetings.
* Liaise with and provide info to PR Company on all relevant marketing activities
* Provide feedback on store visual merchandising through store visits and or store photos review.
* Design products and come up with ideas with the design team

Requirements

* Ideally working as senior buyer in an established international clothing retailer ready to make the next step in his/her career and join a young and dynamic organization.
* You would need to have analytical skills, be able to negotiate and be intuitive to market trends.
* Good knowledge of MS Power Point, Word and Excel as well as Outlook.
* Great attention to details
* Good organizational and interpersonal skills across all levels.
* Fluency in English both written and spoken is a must.
* The role will also entail regular travel both domestically and internationally.

About the Company

Carter Murray is a specialist recruitment consultancy specialising in the placement of marketing professionals into professional services firms, the financial services sector, multi-national corporations and global brands from our offices in London, Dubai and Sydney. Carter Murray is a member of The SR Group, a specialist global recruitment consultancy founded in 1987, operating in the niche markets of Taxation, Legal, HR and Marketing recruitment. From the worlds largest companies to small owner-managed businesses, we recruit at all levels for a complete cross-section of clients. Our clients include the full range of UK and international professional services firms and financial services companies. We recognise that they expect an exceptional level of service and a real knowledge of todays highly specialised market.Each of our consultants personally manages their own clients and specialises in specific areas of this key marketplace. We take the time to really understand both parties needs and provide focused and consistent advice.