Lead Buyer Kidswear

We are looking for an experienced Lead Buyer Kidswear to take ownership of one of our most visible and high impact categories. This is a key leadership role blending hands on category buying with people leadership  leading a team of five direct reports. You will shape the Kidswear buying strategy delivering compelling trend led ranges that meet the everyday needs of Kiwi families while driving strong commercial performance. 

Bringing together commercial acumen customer insight and data led decision making you will influence product direction pricing architecture branded and own brand development and supplier partnerships  ensuring we consistently deliver quality value and relevance at scale. 

You will be responsible for: 

• Range Ownership 
  Lead end to end buying across Kidswear curating seasonal collections that balance trend durability value and financial targets. 

• Category Strategy 
  Shape and execute the long term buying strategy ensuring alignment with brand ambition customer expectations and broader business goals. 

• Private Label and Brand Development 
  Grow and evolve our own brand portfolio while building strong branded partnerships that enhance credibility and choice. 

• Trading and Commercial Performance 
  Maximise sales margin and stock efficiency through strong promotional planning swift trading decisions and proactive in season management. 

• Supplier Management and Negotiation 
  Lead strategic supplier relationships and negotiations  securing the best commercial and product outcomes. 

• Customer and Market Insights 
  Leverage data trend forecasting and customer feedback to keep our ranges relevant competitive and differentiated. 

• People Leadership 
  Coach mentor and develop buying talent fostering a collaborative high performing and commercially sharp team culture. 

• Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing 
  Champion responsible sourcing practices ensuring compliance with ethical standards and supporting our sustainability commitments. 

Qualifications :

We are after a commercially sharp resilient and inspiring leader who thrives in a fast paced retail environment. You will bring strong category ownership experience a passion for Kidswear and the ability to balance creativity with financial performance. 

You will bring: 

• Significant buying experience ideally eight plus years at senior or lead level within Kidswear Apparel or a related fashion category. 

• Proven experience developing both branded and own brand ranges. 

• Strong commercial acumen negotiation expertise and analytical capability. 

• Demonstrated people leadership experience with a passion for coaching and developing talent. 

• A customer first mindset always curious about how we can do better. 

• Experience trading promotional calendars and leveraging marketing activity for maximum impact. 

• Confident stakeholder management and communication skills able to influence across design sourcing marketing and planning. 

• Decisiveness resilience and agility in a dynamic retail environment. 

• The ability to build long term sustainable supplier partnerships. 

Additional Information :

Come work with us as we look tobuild exceptional retail brands that customers loveandour teamstake pride in! 

We offer a range of benefits that work for you and your career which include: 

• Team member discounts across our brands 

• Paid birthday day off for permanent team members 

• Free parking onsitegymand café at our Northcote support office 

• We value collaboration & flexibility embracing hybrid workingup to 2 days working from home 

• 26 weeks paid parental leave for permanent team members 

• A range of wellbeing support and development opportunities 

Ifyourepassionate about Home love building ranges customerscantlive without and thrive on leading people and performancewedlove to hear from you! 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time