Senior Buyer Kidswear 12 Month Ftc

**Summary**

From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

To stay close to customers, we expect our support teams to come into the office three days a week. We think that learning comes from working alongside each other, and that spending time with our teams makes us more creative and connected. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues.
**All the details**

An exciting opportunity to manage the Baby department department leading a large team ranging from Junior Buyer to BAA. We are looking for an experienced Buyer who loves product, has experience working in a fast-paced trading business and has a strong understanding of the baby market.

Please note this is a 12 month FTC

**What’s in it for you**

Being a part of M&S is exactly that - becoming a part and playing your part. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and always evolving business built on core values.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third party branded products for you and one member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
- We have discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and our business performance.
- Get cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).
- We’ll help you save through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.
- Save on everyday costs through discounts and offers and get access to great health benefits.
- Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.
- Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.
- Get access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.
- Support your favourite charities by donating through your pay or volunteering for them.
- Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

**What you’ll do**

Your key accountabilities will include
- Promote & drive a clear understanding of M&S’ Kidswear customer, ensuring the segments and demographics needs are understood and put at the heart of the product offer. Work with teams to create, develop, and deliver product that excites the customer, sets M&S apart from their competitors and promotes the brand globally whilst ensuring the commercial targets are met; presenting strategy and range as appropriate and gaining buy in from the Leadership team.
- Work with Design to interpret and adapt to market trends and direction, ensuring that the conceptual range developed is differentiating and targeted to the needs of the customer, driving a digital mind-set through clear leadership on the online product strategy
- To analyse historical sales in line with trends and design direction to manage product mix parameters including price architecture, colour balance, shape and margin to deliver a highly commercial and balanced range
- Work closely with other buyers and technical, design, merchandising, marketing, channel teams inc International to review, influence and cohesively deliver both the global product strategy and ranges throughout the Buying process, embracing new WOW, and supporting the members to do so, focusing specifically on Product, Sourcing and Brand Direction
- Leading a trading culture across all levels; spotting opportunities, chasing into new products and working with Merchandiser to ensure that failure is identified early and managed appropriately
- Work in collaboration with Sourcing Offices globally to develop appropriate supply routes enabling the Department to react to trade, as well as negotiating the best prices and lead times with supplier to achieve the gross margin buying target. Understand and take accountability for achieving/exceeding profit targets
- Identify and develop talent within the team, benchmarking across GM peer group and promoting movement of people within the business

**Who you are**

Your skills and experience will include
- Working to at least Senior Buyer level in a fast-paced trading fashion retailer. Extensive own buy experience required in either womenswear or kidswear across various product areas. Style focussed with a passion for fashion is a requirement.
- Technical Knowledge and proven track record of developing and