Assistant Buyer (Ladieswear) - Poetry at Cape Union Mart

Job Description

• We are seeking a motivated, fashion-passionate, and commercially minded Assistant Buyer to join our Ladieswear Apparel team.
• This role is ideal for someone with experience in the fashion retail industry, preferably within ladieswear apparel. We are looking for an individual who is eager to learn and build a long-term career in fashion buying. Buying administration experience is advantageous but not essential — we are open to developing the right candidate and will provide guidance, mentorship, and exposure across the full buying function.
• You will support the Buying Team across the entire product lifecycle, helping to deliver compelling, customer-focused ranges that excite our customers while achieving departmental and business objectives. This role operates within a fast-paced, deadline-driven retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

Buying Support & Range Coordination

• Assist the Buyer with range preparation, coordination, and presentations
• Support the end-to-end merchandise buying process
• Prepare data and materials for range and post-range reviews
• Coordinate and assist with range execution in alignment with business objectives
• Support the Buyer during supplier negotiations and cost discussions

Market & Trend Involvement

• Conduct trend research and competitor analysis
• Analyse local and international market activity
• Interpret trends and adapt them to different target markets
• Contribute trend insights to range development

Supplier Relations & Product Management

• Support supplier communication and relationship building
• Coordinate product samples, fit sessions, approvals, quality checks, and feedback
• Assist with the approval and order management processes
• Manage, organise, and control sample stock
• Maintain documentation relating to supplier terms, delivery schedules, and compliance

Commercial & Performance Support

• Monitor sales trends and stock performance to support range decisions
• Support pricing analysis and margin tracking
• Prepare competitor price and product comparisons
• Assist with post-range analysis and reporting

Internal Collaboration

• Liaise with cross-functional teams including Design, Planning, Marketing, E-commerce, Supply Chain, Quality, and Merchandising
• Ensure effective communication to meet timelines and product expectations

Administrative & Process Management

• Maintain and manage critical paths
• Update and maintain accurate buying documentation and product information
• Support forecasting and purchase order tracking
• Assist with reporting and data analysis as required

Experience & Qualifications Required

• Matric / Grade 12 certificate
• 1–3 years’ experience in the fashion retail industry (buying administration experience advantageous but not essential)
• Exposure to clothing retail processes, ideally fashion apparel
• Basic understanding of the retail cycle and merchandise buying principles
• Good understanding of fashion trends, silhouettes, fabrics, garment construction, and fit
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel essential)

Advantageous

• Relevant qualification in Fashion, Retail, or Buying preferred
• Exposure to PLM or ERP systems
• Experience assisting in product development or trend research

Skills & Competencies

• Strong passion for fashion and trend awareness
• Ability to interpret trends and adapt them to different target markets
• Desire to develop negotiation and commercial decision-making skills
• Commercial curiosity and interest in retail performance
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Numerically confident with sound analytical ability
• Quick learner with a proactive and solution-focused mindset
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Collaborative team player
• Adaptable and proactive, with a willingness to contribute beyond core responsibilities when required to meet critical deadlines and support team success in a dynamic retail environment