Job Description

Listing reference:

woolw_001263

Listing status:

Online

Apply by:

2 July 2025

Position summary

Industry:

Wholesale & Retail Trade

Job category:

Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location:

Cape Town

Contract:

Permanent

EE position:

No

Introduction

In this role, you'll contribute to building a customer-focused, trend-relevant, and profitable product strategy aligned to the company's brand positioning and seasonal objectives. Under the guidance of a Senior Buyer, you'll take ownership of the product journey from concept to in-store execution and help deliver a balanced, high-performing range.

Job description

Support the development and execution of the seasonal departmental strategy that delivers against key customer, brand, and commercial objectives. Collaborate with Planning, Design and Sourcing to define the product, fabric and trading strategy in line with agreed KPIs. Leverage global and local insights include trend forecasting, post-seasonal analysis, customer analytics, and competitive benchmarking (e.g. EDITED, First Insights) to inform product direction. Assist in conducting seasonal product planning workshops and present range recommendations, including must- win categories and channel-specific needs. Partner with Design to curate a balanced range (styling, fabric, colour) that aligns brand direction and price architecture. Collaborate with Sourcing and TPD to develop and approve products, manage sample sign-off, and ensure critical path and merchandise cycle milestones are met. Conduct product reviews and final range presentations, incorporating display and packaging strategies to enhance in-store execution. Analyse trade and performance reports (e.g. Monday trade, item performance, style cards) to inform decisions, drive actions, and optimise sales across all channels. Actively contribute to weekly trade reviews and align on actions with key teams (Quad, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Supply Chain). Keep the customer at the heart of your decisions by using customer insights, reviews, and research to shape product and range choices. Contribute to competitor intelligence through regular market research, store visits, and supplier feedback. Support promotional planning and recommend markdowns and volume adjustments based on performance.

Minimum requirements

Relevant tertiary qualification in Fashion, Retail Buying, or Commerce. 2-3 years' experience in Buying or a relevant role within a fashion retail environment. Experience in Kidswear is advantageous. Strong computer literacy, with proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, PLM, and EDITED. A passion for fashion and a keen interest in staying ahead of trends. A continuous learning mindset with a drive for personal and professional growth. Solid understanding of retail business and buying processes, including critical path management. Up-to-date knowledge of the retail market and industry landscape. Strong grasp of pricing strategies including markdowns, markups, sell-through, and visibility drivers. * Excellent numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive product decisions.