Buying Lead - Retail/Apparel/Home Decor

Job Summary:

- The Buying Lead will be responsible for overseeing the procurement of luxury home decor items, ensuring the curation of high-quality and trendsetting products that align with the brand's premium positioning.

- This role involves working closely with design teams, vendors, and merchandising to build a strategic assortment that appeals to the target customer base.

- The Buying Lead will manage the end-to-end buying process, ensuring product availability, margin targets, and exceptional in-store and online experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Assortment Strategy:

- Lead the creation and execution of seasonal and annual product assortments, ensuring alignment with the company's luxury brand identity.

- Conduct thorough market research to identify trends in the luxury home dcor space, incorporating insights into product selections.

- Develop and maintain a well-balanced product mix, including exclusive collections and designer collaborations.

Vendor & Supplier Management:

- Identify, onboard, and manage relationships with high-quality vendors and artisans, ensuring a consistent supply of unique and premium products.

- Negotiate favorable terms, including pricing, lead times, and exclusivity agreements, while maintaining brand standards.

- Ensure all products meet quality benchmarks and ethical sourcing standards.

Financial Planning & OTB Management:

- Collaborate with finance and planning teams to set and manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets, ensuring alignment with sales forecasts and margin targets.

- Monitor stock levels and re-order schedules to optimize inventory flow, minimizing overstock or out-of-stock situations.

- Work on margin improvements through effective negotiations and strategic sourcing.

Product Development & Curation:

- Partner with design teams to co-create exclusive, trend-forward collections that resonate with high-end consumers.

- Oversee the full product development cycle, from concept to store launch, ensuring timely delivery and quality control.

- Regularly review product performance and make adjustments to future buys based on customer feedback and sales data.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Work closely with merchandising, marketing, and visual teams to ensure seamless in-store and digital product presentation.

- Lead seasonal product launch strategies, including planning in-store displays and online marketing initiatives.

- Collaborate with the e-commerce team to support online product assortment and customer engagement strategies.

Performance Analytics:

- Analyze sales data, sell-through rates, and market trends to adjust buying strategies as needed.

- Prepare reports and present buying performance to senior management, highlighting opportunities for growth and improvement.

- Work closely with retail teams to ensure optimal product placement and inventory levels in-store.

Qualifications:

- 8-12 years of experience in buying, merchandising, or category management, ideally within the luxury home decor or lifestyle sectors.

- Proven expertise in vendor management, product development, and financial planning, including OTB.

- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to build long-term supplier relationships.

- Excellent analytical skills with a strong focus on profitability and inventory management.

- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

- Passion for design, luxury, and consumer trends in home decor.

- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or related field (preferred).