About the BrandNew Spanish based brand whose vision is to create a high-quality wardrobe for modern and anti-conformist women.Obsessed with contrasts, the brand will offer meticulously crafted collections, with a wide understanding of femininity allowing all women to build their own identity.Inspired by French codes mixed with a fresh mediterranean touch, our designs embody versatility and boldness, always with a guiding thread: styling and playing with garments to match everyday mood and empower women.Working alongside a newly created team in Northern Spain with strong links to the UK based Next head office, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new brand launch.Role Purpose:To propose and gain agreement to the business plan for their department and to create and deliver a profitable and commercial range which maximises sales. To deliver a product range capable of achieving profit parameters.Role ResponsibilitiesPlans the range according to future trends that take into account range construction, pricing architecture, seasonal variations, the buying and sourcing policies, target market and competitorsTogether with the Merchandiser and Designer, reviews and plans future supplier strategy for their department, identifying sourcing requirement where appropriateContinuously reviews the customer profile across all facets of the business and develops products accordingly, demonstrating brand and customer awarenessCreates stories, pallets and key items according to the Design and Buying Trend Critical PathInspires the team and provides leadership and training to ensure the team are developed and skills are improvedManages their resources and workload effectively in order to achieve their department’s business plan. This will involve controlling set budgets, prioritising workflow and conducting regular team reviews to ensure deadlines and targets are metCoaches and develops their team to ensure they maximise performance levels. This will include regular performance appraisals to set and review objectives along with an assessment of individual performanceLiaises with supplier base to ensure that sampling and cost prices are received on time to meet critical dates / deadlinesEffectively communicates the product strategy to suppliers whilst retaining confidential information to protect the brandAssesses the capability of new / existing suppliers to deliver their part of the range on time and within price structure and sources new suppliers where necessaryCarries out seasonal supplier SWOTs, taking action where necessary, working with Sourcing Director and feedbacks seasonal results to supplier / brands on performanceProactively contributes ideas to the business to help it continue to deliver a winning performanceUses resilience, passion and energy to achieve the right resultsDevelops and maintains good working relationships with the suppliers so that issues such as late deliveries, quality, costs can be effectively managedPlaces a high emphasis on the quality of the product and works with Technical to analyse returns reports, taking corrective action where necessary, agrees and controls standards of suppliers, examines quality of product in stores, communicates standards to the teamManages and attends weekly trade meetings updating on key departmental issuesPresents new season product direction with Designer and MerchandiserReviews range frequently with Merchandiser to ensure product selection is commercial and reacting to sales, proposing repeats, restyling and cancelling of stock as requiredEffectively communicates the Buying and Design vision by phase to the Company (Full Phase Review), creating style guides to support the VM team and by managing the wholesale handover and presenting a coordinated collection, samples amended where necessary, colour swatches and CADs correctly labelledWorks with Design and Technical to engineer products into commercial price point structureStrives to deliver the best customer experience through product, price points and value for moneyIs commercial to trade in season – repeating, cancelling, re-stylingHas excellent customer awareness across retail, web, franchise and wholesaleEnsures knowledge of current and potential market / fashion trends, business opportunities and risk for their area is up to date and included in their proposed rangeIdentifies late buys, missed opportunities and reacts to these in trade meetingsEnsures the development process is continuous and that they optimise the use of trials and late buysHas ownership of OTB and option count and pricing structure and develops accordinglyTechnical RequirementsCurrently working at Buyer for a womenswear brandHave proven success at buying for your own areaHave expertise within the desired product areaDemonstrates passion and energy to be inspiring to others and deliver improved resultsSelf-motivated and engages those around usProactive, vibrant and spirited and rises to challengesRemains profit focused at all timesBuilds and maintains strong collaborative relationshipsProven experience managing and developing a teamThrives in working in a fast paced and growing businessExcellent communication skills and supplier managementHighly organised with the ability to plan ahead and have a flexible approach and be reactive when necessaryFabrics knowledgeGarment production knowledge