Buyer - Sports Direct

Purpose of the Role:

The Buyer is responsible for developing and executing the product assortment strategy for Sports Direct across retail and partner stores. The role ensures the right product is in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price , driving revenue, margin, and consumer demand. By leveraging consumer insights, sales analytics, market trends, and seasonal brand stories , the Buyer delivers curated assortments that elevate the brands, optimize in-season performance, and achieve financial objectives.

What you will do:

Collaborate with the Senior Buyer to interpret the company's product strategy into cohesive and representative product ranges

Adhere to brand product strategy to maintain a consistent and strong market position

Work with the Senior Buyer to balance the product range for the target consumer, considering factors such as price points, styles, and fashion trends

Continuously review the in-season collection to maximize range, sales, and profit

Collaborate with the Senior Buyer to analyse competitor product ranges and actions to ensure a leading market position

Stay informed about market trends and competitive activities

Interface with different functions of the business, including planning and merchandising, to ensure a constant flow of information

Coordinate with VM and Marketing for the implementation of Marketing/VM/Trade calendars

Work with the Senior Buyer to drive opportunities using the critical path, ensuring maximum flexibility to decrease markdown risk and maximize sales

Review department performance on a regular basis and propose action for trading out of poor-performing areas and buying into successful areas

Collaborate with VM and Marketing to ensure the correct implementation of the Marketing/VM/Trade calendars

Understand the market and competition well, staying up to date with trends

Meet deadlines in buying calendars and critical path

Collaborate with the Planner and Trader to ensure merchandise is phased in according to divisional strategy

Responsible to classify and align purchased products Categories within the company’s Banner categorization framework, to ensure consistency in inventory planning & reporting

How you will be measured:

Financial Targets

On-time completion of seasonal buys

Product selection success rate (sell-through > X%) at Full Price (FP)

Markdown value on bought styles

Seasonal buy vs budget accuracy

Speed of in-season top-up/reorder decisions

Stakeholder Engagement

Effective collaboration with Country Retail Managers to ensure effective product strategy

Effective collaboration with Planner and Traders to ensure accuracy of OTB

In collaboration with Marketing and Visual Merchandiser, ensuring effective marketing campaign roll-out

Competencies required:

Strong collaboration skills / Team player

Strategic planning

Highly effective communication skills

Financial acumen

Problem solving skills

Analytical mindset

Self-motivated

Leadership skills

What you will bring to the role:

Diploma in Business Administration, Finance, or another relevant field

2 years of experience as a Buyer or similar within a medium to large size retailer

Computer proficiency with advanced knowledge of Excel

Strong aptitude with numbers and clear understanding of retail math skills

Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and meet deadlines

Ability to communicate persuasively, influentially, and responsibly across a broad spectrum of stakeholders

Excels in team-environments and in building and developing strong interpersonal relationships, while maintaining an individual determination to accomplish goals