KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategy Development: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive product portfolio strategy aligned with the company’s objectives, ensuring consistency and relevance across the product lifecycle, handwriting and execution.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Marketing, Merchandising, Retail Operations, and Supply Chain, to ensure alignment and consistency in execution.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish relevant KPIs to measure and monitor product performance in terms of sales, inflows, margins, GP rands and optimising strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Systems and governance: Collaborate with systems to ensure the delivery of technology and systems in support of enabling the buying team to deliver on their objectives.
• Leadership: Effectively lead the buying team for the relevant portfolio.

JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores
• Knowledge of specific company buying strategies
• Understanding of retail business systems and related processes – IT
• A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA’s retail clothing market, customers, and competitors.
• An understanding of relevant trends with a flair/eye for product for the relevant target market
• Relevant product knowledge with regards to styling constructions
• An understanding of product components
• Awareness of relevant legal and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and mitigate risks
• Understanding of crisis management principles and practices to anticipate and mitigate potential brand crises, as well as to respond effectively in the event of a crisis to protect the brand’s reputation

Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organisation
• 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
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide the buying team, fostering cross functional collaboration and driving results
• A commercial mindset to develop innovative and impactful product strategies
• Experience in managing budgets effectively, allocating resources to maximise ROI
• Continuously seeking opportunities for innovation and differentiation, to maintain a competitive edge
• Able to travel when required

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience of 5-10 years in a retail buying management capacity, of which 3-5 years should be at a senior level
• Strong leadership and management skills
• CFE experience essential