N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

N Brown is a leading UK digital retail platform for clothing, footwear, home and technology, headquartered in Manchester and employing over 1,200 people nationwide. Through our strategic retail brands JD Williams, Jacamo and Simply Be and our unique payments offering, we exist to champion inclusivity and serve the underserved. Our customers are our passion, and we take great pride in delivering products that ensure they can look and feel amazing, without compromising on choice, value and accessibility.

We’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

The role

We’re looking for an Senior Buyer 12 months Maternity Cover to join our Lingerie Team

The Senior Buyer is responsible for planning, sourcing, developing and selecting a commercial and successful range. They must use their knowledge and expertise to understand our customers’ wants and needs and create a strong multi-channel offering, whilst taking into account budgets and margin requirements. Overall the Senior Buyer’s role is to build a range which both meets and exceeds the customers’ expectations, whilst maximising profits and revenue.

What will you do as an Senior Buyer at N Brown?

• Lead the buying process for the Lingerie category, delivering a customer-focused, commercially balanced and trend-led product range that reflects brand strategy and meets customer demand.
• To lead and implement innovative product category strategies and to maximise performance & KPI’s across multiple product areas, consistently identifying opportunity within the range
• Constantly reviewing competition to ensure our product proposition is in line with the market across all key areas: fashion trend, price, quality and availability.
• Demonstrate a strong passion for product and drive category performance as product expert within Lingerie, proactively identifying emerging trends, and working closely with Design to interpret these into ranges that feel right the customer, ensuring alignment across silhouette, fabrication, colour, styling and price point.
• Manage a team ranging from BAAs to Buyers, Junior Buyers and ensure you’re leading the category, following emerging market trends and lead team in interpreting these trends for our customers, ensuring we remain up-to-date and competitive.
• To work closely with Senior Merchandiser to drive department sales and strategy, taking ownership of category financial performance, monitoring sales, BIM, pricing architecture and profitability.
• Lead sign-off’s and strategy meetings, presenting product vision, trend direction, customer insight and commercial strategy with clear recommendations.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, leading supplier strategy for your department and reviewing opportunity within sourcing with focus on product quality, fit and design integrity.
• Travel regularly within the UK and internationally to source product, strengthen supplier relationships and ensure development aligns with brand and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with Marketing, E-commerce and Creative teams to shape product storytelling across all channels, contributing to campaign briefs, launches and photoshoots to ensure ranges are presented in the most compelling and customer-relevant way.
• Support the Head of Buying on strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives, acting as a key ambassador for the Buying function across the business.
• Drive department KPIs, delivering margin and profit through strategic planning, responsive trading, and smart decision‑making
• Lead the category, recruit, select and support team members and line manage by setting performance objectives, reviews and performance coach providing clear and constructive feedback in regular 121’s, agreeing training and development plans accordingly.

What skills and experience will you have?

• Relevant experience ideally from a leading retailer at Senior Buyer level.
• Experience in buying Lingerie product.
• Creativity and the ability to recognise future trends.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent commercial awareness.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills. You must have previous experience managing multiple ranges, OTB and budgets.
• Excellent communication skills in all formats including presenting. The Senior Buyer will work particularly closely with the Merchandising team, as well as working cross-functionally with additional internal and external stakeholders.
• Leadership qualities. The Senior Buyer is responsible for leading and motivating a team, as well as working collaboratively with other departments in the business. The successful Senior Buyer will need to demonstrate leadership, and the ability to influence others.
• Enthusiasm, determination and commitment to the role.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office (particularly Word, PowerPoint and Excel), Outlook.

KPI’s

• Accountable for the cost price, selling price which delivers the BIM.
• Accountable for the demand and NAM on the area.
• Accountable for the team’s development and performance on the segment.
• To fully understand and meet the customer needs, increase customer 5-star product reviews whilst driving the customer panel most preferred result.

Key Stakeholders:

• Design, merchandising, PI and sourcing teams.

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid working (2-3 days in the office at a minimum)
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Stream - a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
• Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!