Buyer - Footwear

Holt Renfrew offers you an inspiring, fashion-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow. From our incredible partnerships with iconic luxury brands, to our commitments to corporate social responsibility, you will be inspired every day.

A job at Holt Renfrew offers a competitive total compensation, a generous employee discount, pension, and health & dental benefits, tuition assistance, and continuous learning and development.

Buyer - Footwear

The Buyer drives the timely sourcing of best available products to achieve and exceed sales and margin goals.

Specific responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Build and retain a high performing team that delivers the results and meets performance goals
• Coach team on their professional and personal development
• Facilitate and lead change; continuously evaluate procedures within Buying office and provide/action recommendations for more effective business practices
• Attend market shows as required to select and assemble collections and product assortments. Travel may include national and/or international markets
• Buy product. Align the ‘buy’ to strategy - plan and select the range, type and quantity; decide on colour, size, price etc. and negotiate competitive bids to purchase within budgets and to drive profit
• Assess competitors, analyze buying patterns and predict future trends
• Select reliable and quality vendors to source the best available products at the best possible terms
• Responsible for managing, entering, and uploading purchase orders according to plan and forecast
• Manage open-to-buy to maximize business opportunities and inventory control
• Ensure timely delivery of merchandise, initiate cancellations or negotiate discounts on late deliveries as appropriate
• Manage inventory; make timely profitability decisions; review existing inventory performance indicators and react quickly to change in demand, logistics and trends
• Develop financial plans in partnership; prepare and present Seasonal Business Reviews
• Be proficient on all merchant systems
• Provide product information, maintain regular communication and work co-operatively with the store team
• Obtain feedback on how the market responds to choices made and to market needs; seek customer feedback
• Check store merchandise assortments, displays, stock levels as well as consult customers during peak selling times and key special events (PSN, Designer Trunk Shows/PA's)
• Implement specific marketing plans for each department, based on advertising results and discussion with Marketing department and vendors, to maximize brand exposure and increase sales and profitability; participate in promotional activities
• Negotiate with vendors for marketing Co-Op, specialist program support, United Way and special events/personal appearances to reinforce HR Brand; maintain excellent vendor relations
• Ensure advertised merchandise is adequately quantified and delivered and on time
• Lead, motivate, and retain a team of high performing employees that is capable of delivering results
  
  

The ideal candidate:

• Undergraduate degree, preferably in Business or Retail Management, or equivalent experience
• 3 years proven Buying experience, preferably in luxury retail
• Sound knowledge of purchasing principles and practices / Retail Math
• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills with the ability to get things done
• Excellent interpersonal skills; a team player who is able to act as both a leader and an individual contributor as required
• Confident and effective communication (written & verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Is adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Highly service-oriented with exceptional organizational and follow up skills
• Passionate about fashion and luxury retailing
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience managing a $50M business in buying
• Experience managing a large number of vendors
  
  

The measures of success:

• Contribution to financial objectives
• Individual objectives linked to the achievement of department goals
• Feedback from internal and external clients
  
  

Holt Renfrew is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our future success depends on the perspectives and contributions of all our employees -- their diverse backgrounds, abilities and experiences make our business stronger. If you are contacted for a job opportunity and require accommodation, please email [email protected] and let us know so we can ensure you have an accessible candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. All requests are confidential and used only to meet candidate needs.