Job Description

Tekkie Town is seeking to employ a dynamic and passionate Private Brand Footwear Buyer to execute the Company's product and purchasing strategy to achieve the Company's sales and profit objectives.



This key role requires someone with a strong understanding of footwear sourcing, range-building, value-engineering and brand integrity. A love for sports-related fashion is critical. A keen eye for identifying and selecting trends and embodying the sneaker and active lifestyle customer is essential. The successful candidate needs to be able to build customer-focused ranges across footwear categories and genders with products that embody style, quality, and trend-relevance for our target customers. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has an inherent passion for product development, and is excited to shape the assortment for a leading brand, Umbro.

Key Responsibilities

Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores Knowledge of specific sports-branded buying strategies e.g. franchise lifecycle management Understanding of retail business systems and related processes A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA's retail footwear market, customers and competitors, specifically in the sports and sport-related fashion segments Range building based on Good/Better/Best price tiering principles, as well as balancing core, seasonal and trend product lifecycles In this fast-paced role, you'll be responsible for applying brand relevant trends to your department and categories. Identifying must-have products, and building a collection that resonates with our target market Partnering with top suppliers to find high-quality products within budget and on time Delivering on aggressive targets and maximizing margins To source & select the correct supplier for the appropriate product category and manage them according to the Company policies and procedures. To ensure the timeous execution of procurement administration to meet the target dates in the critical path of the supply chain To source and procure products within the agreed quality specifications & standards To ensure compliance with agreed quality specifications & standards To develop and influence cross-functional partnerships with all specified key relationships.

Qualifications

A relevant degree / qualification in Fashion/Textile Design/Clothing Production/Product Development/Merchandising, or a related field

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Proven experience of 5 years buying experience in footwear categories specifically Possesses a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of footwear construction, specifically sneakers and active-end-use footwear Thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the challenge of exceeding expectations Is a strong negotiator and relationship builder, securing win-win deals with suppliers Is a team player with strong communication and collaboration skills Stays organized, manages time effectively, and meets deadlines under pressure Proficiency in the latest G-Suite (Docs/Sheets/Slides) and Microsoft packages is an essential requirement. Working knowledge of a PLM system similar to Airtable advantageous. International and Local Travel required Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organisation Collaboration with planning to manage OTB effectively Strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities and market conditions A commercial mindset to develop innovative and impactful product strategies Continuously seeking opportunities for innovation and differentiation, to maintain a competitive edge * The ability to be resilient, have tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure