Buyer – Footwear at Cape Union Mart

• An exciting opportunity has become available at Cape Union Mart for a resilient, innovative and commercially astute Senior Buyer – Footwear to join our Outdoor team.
• This role is ideal for a passionate footwear specialist who thrives in a fast‑paced retail environment and is motivated by delivering commercially successful ranges. You will be responsible for the end‑to‑end buying, sourcing and product development of both private label and branded footwear, ensuring ranges are trend‑relevant, technically sound and aligned to our brand and business objectives.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparing, coordinating and presenting seasonal footwear ranges
• Executing ranges in line with business strategy, brand direction and financial targets
• Presenting and leading range reviews with key stakeholders
• Building, maintaining and managing strong supplier relationships
• Negotiating and managing supplier contracts
• Collaborating closely with Design, Planning, Quality, Marketing and Stores
• Overseeing product design, quality, fit and technical performance
• Managing and controlling sample stock
• Trading the business in‑season to optimise performance
• Attending local and international trade shows, visiting factories and researching global trends
• Managing critical path timelines and general buying administration

What we’re looking for

• Grade 12 plus a relevant tertiary qualification
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in retail merchandise buying (footwear essential)
• At least 2 years’ product development experience within footwear
• Strong specialist knowledge of footwear materials, construction and manufacturing processes
• Deep understanding of technical footwear (highly advantageous)
• Solid knowledge of the retail product lifecycle, buying principles and critical path management
• Valid drivers license
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Experience with Oracle and PLM systems will be advantageous

Key competencies for success

• A strong passion for trends, innovation and product
• The ability to interpret and adapt trends for multiple target markets
• Excellent negotiation and commercial decision‑making skills
• Strong trader mentality with a strategic mindset
• Proven ability to build and maintain influential relationships across functions
• Confident communication and presentation skills
• Excellent planning, organisation and time‑management abilities
• High levels of resilience, agility and drive under pressure
• Effective conflict management and problem‑solving skills