Apparel Buyer at Pepkor Speciality

• This key role requires someone with a strong understanding of local and off-shore sourcing, fabrics, garment construction, range-building, value-engineering and brand integrity. A love for sports-related fashion is critical. A keen eye for identifying and selecting trends and embodying the sneaker and active lifestyle customer is essential. The successful candidate needs to be able to build customer-focused ranges across apparel categories and genders with products that embody style, quality, and trend-relevance for our target customers. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has an inherent passion for  product development, and is excited to shape the assortment for a leading brand, Umbro.

Qualifications    

• A relevant degree / qualification in Fashion/Textile Design/Clothing Production/Product Development/Merchandising, or a related field

Knowledge, Skills and Experience    
Knowledge

• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores  
• Knowledge of specific sports branded buying strategies 
• Understanding of retail business systems and related processes
• A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA’s retail clothing market, customers and competitors

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organisation
• Collaboration with planning to manage OTB effectively
• Strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities and market conditions
• A commercial mindset to develop innovative and impactful product strategies
• Continuously seeking opportunities for innovation and differentiation, to maintain a competitive edge
• The ability to be resilient, have tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure

Experience

• Proven 3 years buying experience in sports/atheisure/casual apparel
• Possesses a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of fabrics and garment construction
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the challenge of exceeding expectations
• Strong negotiator and relationship builder, securing win-win deals with suppliers
• Is a team player with strong communication and collaboration skills
• Stays organized, manages time effectively, and meets deadlines under pressure
• Proficiency in the latest G-Suite (Docs/Sheets/Slides) and Microsoft packages is an essential requirement
• Working knowledge of a PLM system similar to Airtable advantageous.
• International and local travel required

Key Responsibilities    

• Range building based on Good/Better/Best price tiering principles, as well as balancing core, seasonal and trend product lifecycles
• In this fast-paced role, you'll be responsible for applying brand relevant trends to your department and categories. Identifying must-have products, and building a collection that resonates with our target market.
• Partnering with top suppliers to find high-quality products within budget and on time.
• Delivering on aggressive targets and maximizing margins.
• To source & select the correct supplier for the appropriate product category and manage them according to the Company policies and procedures.
• To ensure the timeous execution of procurement administration to meet the target dates in the critical path of the supply chain.
• To source and procure products within the agreed quality specifications & standards.
• To ensure compliance with agreed quality specifications & standards.
• To develop and influence cross-functional partnerships with all specified key relationships.

Deadline:12th September,2025