Job Title: Buyer (Apparel)
Location: Head Office [Gurugram]
Position Type: Full-Time
Department: Buying and Merchandising
About Us: We are a prominent value retail organization in the apparel industry in India, committed to offering high-quality, fashionable products at competitive prices. We are looking to expand our team and are seeking an experienced Buyer with expertise in buying, merchandising, and sourcing to join our growing business.
Job Overview: As a Buyer at our company, you will play a critical role in the product selection, sourcing, and inventory management process. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in buying and merchandising within an export house, brand retail, or value retail, with a strong understanding of costing and sourcing strategies. You will collaborate with vendors, manage product assortments, and help drive profitability through effective buying and cost management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Buying & Merchandising:
- Manage the end-to-end buying process, from researching market trends to final product selection and purchase.
- Collaborate with merchandising teams to develop and maintain seasonal product assortments.
- Ensure the right product mix, ensuring competitive pricing, quality, and stock availability.
- Costing & Pricing:
- Lead the product costing process, ensuring that all products are within the allocated budget while maintaining quality standards.
- Negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable pricing and terms.
- Work closely with the finance team to establish pricing strategies that meet both margin and competitive positioning goals.
- Sourcing & Vendor Management:
- Identify and establish relationships with new suppliers and vendors to ensure product diversity, quality, and cost efficiency.
- Negotiate contracts, terms, and delivery timelines with vendors.
- Monitor vendor performance to ensure timely deliveries, product quality, and cost compliance.
- Market & Trend Analysis:
- Conduct regular market research to identify emerging trends, competitor offerings, and customer preferences.
- Provide input into the development of product lines based on market insights and customer demand.
- Inventory & Stock Management:
- Work closely with the inventory team to manage stock levels and ensure optimal replenishment to meet customer demand.
- Maintain accurate records of orders, deliveries, and stock levels.
- Monitor product sales and adjust orders and stock levels as needed.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Textile Management, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree is a plus).
- 5+ years of experience in buying and merchandising, preferably with experience in export houses, brand retail, or value retail.
- Strong understanding of the apparel industry, including fabric knowledge, market trends, and customer preferences.
- Solid experience in costing, product pricing, and margin management.
- Knowledge of sourcing, vendor management, and procurement processes.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience working with vendors to secure favorable terms.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with merchandising software is a plus.