Senior Footwear Buyer at Truworths

Key Responsibilities    

• Drive the development and buy of Office’s Made-to-Order Footwear for South Africa using our UK based product as inspiration.
• Demonstrating keen fashion awareness, an eye for trends and a passion for footwear
• Identify and interpret emerging trends quickly and react accordingly, conceptualising product and working individual fashion aspects into an overall product strategy to deliver a balanced commercial range
• Develop a reliable and flexible supplier base ensuring price, quality and fashionability meet requirements and reinforces the brand
• Proactively identify possible areas of commercial risk and minimise impact
• Use knowledge of current social and economic trends to make recommendations on business decisions to senior management
• Build excellent working relationships
• Display enthusiasm, professionalism and role models the Truworths Values
• Interaction with and travel to our Office UK head office to understand the range and benefit from buying synergies

Qualifications and Experience    

• 6 to 8 years’ experience either in retail or manufacturing as a Footwear Buyer
• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Knowledge of Merchant Systems
• Leather experience advantageous
• Strong footwear experience in Women’s Fashion footwear- both long and short lead times/ quick response
• Passionate about fashionable footwear product

Competencies    

• High commercial awareness and ability to identify commercially viable products that support and maintain the integrity of the brand
• Highly organised and demonstrates ability to plan and prioritise for all areas of the job role, implementing plans and continuously measuring and reviewing progress
• Ability to innovate and generate new ideas to benefit the business
• Team player and strong communicator who influences and communicates confidently and effectively to build strong relationships with other departments within Office
• Ability to effectively negotiate with others in order to secure a mutually beneficial outcome, whilst maintaining the integrity of the brand
• Dynamic and proactive, showing initiative in the role
• Practices excellent time management and has the ability to cope under pressure
• Supports senior management in business decisions by taking a long term strategic view
• Takes ownership for own development and participates in a mentoring and feedback culture