Buyer: Lingerie & Essentials at Ackermans

• We are looking for a commercially driven and detail-oriented Lingerie Buyer to join our A team! Focusing on core, everyday essentials across both womenswear and menswear.
• This role is responsible for building and managing a strong, consistent product offering across bras, panties, shapewear, socks, hosiery, and men’s underwear, with a strong focus on bringing Value to Life for our Customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a balanced product range across core lingerie and underwear categories
• Build seasonal ranges with a strong focus on fit, function, and Value
• Analyse sales data, customer insights, and market trends to inform buying decisions
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and ensure margin targets are met
• Work closely with design, planning, and sourcing teams to deliver on time and in line with Ackermans product strategy
• Monitor product performance and take proactive action to optimise sales

KNOWLEDGE required:

• Knowledge of SA’s retail clothing market, customers and competitors, an understanding of the fashion retail cycle, critical path & buying processes.
• Understanding of relevant product trends for your target market
• Deep understanding of product fit, fabrication, and customer needs in core underwear
• Sound ability to analyse and work with numerical data
• Merchant skills & a sound trader mentality

SKILLS required:

• A sound ability to analyse and work with numerical data
• Merchant skills and a sound trader mentality
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
• Presentation skills
• Competent in all the latest Microsoft applications
• Competent in working with a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system
• Identify, distinguish, understand and assess colours, CAD approvals and strike offs engineer garments / products to achieve the desired value proposition
• Communicate effectively at all levels both within, as well as outside the company

Essential:

• 3-5 years proven retail experience in the procurement of lingerie, underwear, or essentials categories.

Qualification:

• A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric
• A relevant qualification in Fashion Design, Textile Design / Clothing Production / Product Development /Merchandising or a related field.