Buyer - Outdoor footwear

Location:	Cape Town
Job level:	Mid
Reference:	#104296
Company:	Cape union mart

Cape Union Mart is seeking a resilient, innovative, and resourceful buyer to join our outdoor footwear team. This role involves trending, sourcing, and procuring merchandise for private label and branded footwear ranges within the Cape Union Mart chain. The successful candidate will contribute to achieving department and business objectives while thriving in our fast-paced, dynamic retail environment.

Duties and responsibilities

• Prepare, coordinate, and present ranges.
• Execute ranges in alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct and present range reviews.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts.
• Collaborate effectively with relevant stakeholders and departments.
• Oversee product design, quality, and fit.
• Control sample stock.
• Travel locally and internationally to attend trade shows, visit factories, and research trends.
• Manage in-season trading.
• Perform general buying administrative functions.

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications

Essential:

• Grade twelve certificate and relevant tertiary qualification.
• Minimum of three years’ retail merchandise buying experience.
• Specialist knowledge of footwear materials and construction.
• Two years’ product development experience in footwear.
• Strong understanding of technical footwear.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the retail product lifecycle, merchandise buying principles, and critical path management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages.

Advantageous:

• Experience with Oracle and PLM systems.

Job-related competencies

• Passion for trends and creative flair for fashion.
• Ability to adapt trends for diverse target markets.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Strategic thinking and a trader mentality.
• Ability to build and maintain influential relationships across business functions.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organisational, planning, and time management skills.
• High-level conflict management capabilities.
• Agility and resilience to maintain drive and initiative under pressure.

Additional information

Cape Union Mart is committed to transformation. Appointments and promotions will prioritise candidates who meet the position’s requirements and contribute to team diversity, aligned with our Employment Equity plan.

Posted on 17 Jan 15:59, Closing date 17 Jan