Marks & Spencer
Senior Buyer Womenswear Knitwear
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Womenswear Buying Lead – M&S
By working at Marks & Spencer, you become part of an inclusive, fast-paced organisation committed to delivering quality, value, and exceptional service to millions of customers every day. We thrive on purpose-driven innovation and a culture that values doing the right thing.
Benefits
Here are some key perks that make working at M&S both rewarding and beneficial:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and your household, available after completing probation
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to purchase additional leave
- Discretionary bonus schemes tied to both individual and company performance
- Strong pension scheme and life assurance to support your long-term planning
- Tailored induction and continual training to ensure personal and professional development
- Exclusive savings via the M&S Choices portal, offering additional perks
- Market-leading family policies, including extended parental, adoption, and neonatal leave
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- Paid volunteer day per year, allowing you to contribute to a cause you care about
The Role
This exciting position offers responsibility, growth, and leadership within the womenswear buying team at M&S. Your core accountabilities include:
- Developing a deep understanding of M&S’ womenswear customer, ensuring that segment needs and demographics are reflected in our product offerings
- Collaborating with Design to interpret market trends and adapt to evolving direction, fostering a strong digital mind-set through leadership in online product strategy
- Analysing historical sales data alongside trends and design direction to strategically manage product mix parameters
- Engaging with internal teams—including buyers, technical, design, merchandising, marketing, and international channels—to align and deliver global product strategy and ranges throughout the buying process
- Promoting a proactive trading culture that identifies opportunities, drives innovation, and works with Merchandising to mitigate failures early
- Coordinating with global Sourcing Offices to develop effective supply routes that align with our business objectives
- Providing leadership to the buying team and Sourcing Office, fostering collaboration and driving growth
- Identifying and developing talent within the team by benchmarking against industry peers and nurturing talent mobility
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Requirements
Successful candidates will bring experience, vision, and versatility to their role. Key requirements include:
- At least Senior Buyer experience in a fast-moving trading fashion retailer, with hands-on buying experience in womenswear knitwear. A strong passion for fashion and style is essential.
- Technical expertise and a proven track record in developing and trading commercially successful ranges that exceed sales and profit targets.
- In-depth knowledge of cost negotiations and global sourcing, with the ability to optimise supply chains efficiently.
- Understanding of brand strategy—ability to translate brand values into product concepts that resonate with customers.
- Global retail insight to identify key product trends and capitalise on market opportunities.
- Technical know-how in materials and supply chain management, including an understanding of different materials and their procurement.
- Highly organised mindset, with a commitment to delivering on deadlines and navigating ambiguity to guide teams effectively.
- Demonstrable leadership, including coaching, mentoring, and people management, to drive team success.
- Proactive willingness to take on buying lead or Head of Buying responsibilities as needed.
- Digital and global mindset, contributing to the expansion of M&S’ international and online business.
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Our Commitment to Diversity
At M&S, we’re determined to shape the future of connected retail, adhering to a vision of innovation and inclusivity. Together, we’re pioneering a future that’s more conscious, inspired, and digitally empowered.
We’re dedicated to building representative teams where everyone can bring their authentic self to work—ensuring we are all at our best. By supporting each other, we drive mutual success.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure you can perform at your best, please contact us. We’re committed to accommodating your needs and helping you thrive.
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