Merchandise Buyer - Apparel

About the role

We are looking for a commercially‑focused Merchandise Buyer with a passion for sport, fitness and active lifestyle apparel. In this hands‑on position you will shape our seasonal ranges, turning market insights and consumer trends into profitable product assortments.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, curate and manage seasonal apparel ranges that align with brand direction and commercial targets.
• Build and present range plans, including option counts, price architecture and product mix, to internal stakeholders.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate cost price, payment terms, lead times and exclusivity arrangements.
• Collaborate with suppliers on product development, sampling, fit reviews and tech pack briefs.
• Monitor sales performance, stock levels and sell‑through data to inform buying decisions and produce regular trading reports.
• Ensure effective Open‑to‑Buy (OTB) management in partnership with merchandising and planning teams.
• Track consumer trends, competitor activity and emerging product directions within the sport and active apparel market.
• Partner with marketing, e‑commerce and retail teams to communicate product stories and support visual merchandising and promotional planning.

Required profile

• 3–5 years of buying experience in apparel, sportswear or a closely related retail category.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Retail, Commerce or Fashion (minimum).
• Proven ability to manage the end‑to‑end buying cycle from range planning to trading.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
• Solid understanding of OTB management, margin principles and stock planning fundamentals.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with buying/merchandising systems.
• Familiarity with retail ERP systems (advantageous).