Senior Buyer Kidswear 12 month FTC

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Job Description

An exciting opportunity to manage the Baby department department leading a large team ranging from Junior Buyer to BAA. We are looking for an experienced Buyer who loves product, has experience working in a fast-paced trading business and has a strong understanding of the baby market.

Please note this is a 12 month FTC

What's in it for you

Being a part of M&S is exactly that - becoming a part and playing your part. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and always evolving business built on core values.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special...

• 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third party branded products for you and one member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
• We have discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and our business performance.
• Get cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).
• We'll help you save through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.
• Save on everyday costs through discounts and offers and get access to great health benefits.
• Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.
• Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.
• Get access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.
• Support your favourite charities by donating through your pay or volunteering for them.
• Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

What you'll do

Your key accountabilities will include

• Promote & drive a clear understanding of M&S' Kidswear customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer. Work with teams to create, develop, and deliver product that excites the customer, sets M&S apart from their competitors and promotes the brand globally whilst ensuring the commercial targets are met; presenting strategy and range as appropriate and gaining buy in from the Leadership team.
• Work with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer, driving a digital mind-set through clear leadership on the online product strategy
• To analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters including price architecture, colour balance, shape and margin to deliver a highly commercial and balanced range
• Work closely with other buyers and technical, design, merchandising, marketing, channel teams inc International to review, influence and cohesively deliver both the global product strategy and ranges throughout the Buying process, embracing new WOW, and supporting the members to do so, focusing specifically on Product, Sourcing and Brand Direction
• Leading a trading culture across all levels; spotting opportunities, chasing into new products and working with Merchandiser to ensure that failure is identified early and managed appropriately
• Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade, as well as negotiating the best prices and lead times with supplier to achieve the gross margin buying target. Understand and take accountability for achieving/exceeding profit targets
• Provide leadership and direction to the buying team as well as Sourcing Office product merchandisers to promote and foster a global team Maintain strong relationships with other functions linking into the BU (e.g. Marketing, Press, M&S.com, International)
• Identify and develop talent within the team, benchmarking across GM peer group and promoting movement of people within the business

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Working to at least Senior Buyer level in a fast-paced trading fashion retailer. Extensive own buy experience required in either womenswear or kidswear across various product areas. Style focussed with a passion for fashion is a requirement.
• Technical Knowledge and proven track record of developing and trading highly commercial ranges that exceed sales / profit targets
• In-depth knowledge of cost price negotiations and global sourcing and ability to collaborate with colleagues in Global Sourcing Offices (where used) to develop the supply base
• Understanding and delivery of the concepts of brand strategy
• Good understanding of global retail market place with the ability to identify relevant product trends
• Strong knowledge of materials used and understanding of material supply base, as well as external market conditions including key economic, political and social shifts
• Highly organised approach and commitment to closing and completing tasks. Managing ambiguity effectively - providing clear guidance and planning to teams at all times
• Ability to lead, coach and manage people to support development and drive success. Multi task orientated with the ability to work to work to tight deadlines to the Buying critical path
• Proactively agree to take on Buying Lead/ Head of Buying responsibilities where required
• A digital and global mind-set that supports the growth of international and online business

Everyone's welcome

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That's why we're revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There's never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.

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