bout the role:
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he Senior Buyer is a pivotal leadership role within our Product team, responsible for driving the strategic vision, commercial performance, and product excellence across key womenswear categories. This is a hands-on, senior-level role that demands equal parts creative intuition and commercial rigour.
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ou will take full ownership of the buying strategy from concept through to trade, translating data and market insight into clear, decisive actions. You will champion the customer at every stage, ensure the range is commercially optimised and brand-aligned, and play a key role in shaping the direction of The Fold's product offer as the business scales internationally.
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s the most senior buyer in the team, you will lead, mentor and inspire a small buying team, setting the standard for excellence, pace, and accountability.
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reas of responsibility:
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ange Development & Product Strategy
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- ead the end-to-end development of The Fold's womenswear ranges, delivering commercially successful, brand-aligned, and customer-centric product across all categories
O- wn and drive seasonal buying strategy, spanning range architecture and option planning through to pricing, assortment balance, and category mix
A- pply a strong eye for product to curate ranges that are differentiated, relevant, and right for The Fold customer, balancing newness with commercial core
O- wn the product selection for all third-party wholesale doors, working in close partnership with Merchandising to ensure the edit is commercially optimised and a true representation of The Fold's brand positioning.
S- upport the Design team throughout the product development process, providing commercially grounded input into fabrication, construction, fit, and sustainability credentials to help bring the range vision to life
B- uild and manage supplier relationships at a senior level, leading negotiations to secure best-in-class product at optimal margin and terms
P- resent seasonal range strategies, sign-offs, and trade reviews to the Product Director and wider senior leadership with confidence and clarity
S- tay ahead of the market through regular competitor analysis and trend research, translating insight into actionable range decisions
E- nsure all product meets The Fold's quality, sustainability, and brand standards
O- wn and oversee the critical path across all categories in partnership with the Production, Design, and Garment Technology teams, anticipating and resolving risk before it impacts the business
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rading & Commercial Performance
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- ake full ownership of sales, margin, intake, and stock targets across your categories, and be accountable for delivering them
L- ead weekly and seasonal trading analysis, interpreting data with precision to identify what is working and what needs to change, and acting on it swiftly
T- ranslate trading data into both short-term trading actions (re-buys, repeats, markdowns, reprioritisation) and long-term strategic decisions (option edits, category growth, investment shifts)
D- rive stock optimisation and markdown strategies in collaboration with Merchandising, minimising excess and maximising sell-through
I- dentify category growth opportunities through analysis of sales performance, customer behaviour, and market white space
P- roactively bring trading risks and commercial opportunities to the Product Director with clear, data-backed recommendations and proposed solutions
M- aintain a commercially minded approach at all stages of the buying process, ensuring every decision is tied to a measurable outcome
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ata Analysis & Commercial Insight
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- emonstrate advanced ability to read, interrogate, and interpret buying and trading data, including sell-through rates, DPO, category contribution and margin contribution
T- ransform data into clear, concise, and measurable actions, with defined owners, timelines, and expected outcomes
M- aintain range plans, and reporting frameworks that support strategic and operational decision-making across the team
U- se insight from customer data and e-commerce analytics to inform range and buying decisions
P- artner closely with Merchandising to ensure Open-to-Buy is managed with precision, and that range plans accurately reflect the buy
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eam Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
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- ead, manage, and develop a buying team including a Buyer and Assistant Buyer, setting clear priorities, objectives, and development plans
C- reate a high-performing, collaborative team culture built on accountability, pace, and high standards
A- ct as a senior cross-functional partner within Product, working closely and effectively with Design, Production, Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce, and Retail
B- alance multiple competing priorities with composure and efficiency in a fast-paced, agile environment, meeting deadlines without compromising quality of decision-making
E- nsure smooth day-to-day execution of all buying processes, including reporting cadences, sample management, fit sessions, and system updates
E- nsure timely delivery of all samples, maintaining proactive communication across all relevant teams
E- scalate risks and opportunities to the Product Director and senior leadership team with well-reasoned recommendations and proposed mitigations
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bout You:
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xperience & Background
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- urrently operating at Senior Buyer level within womenswear.
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- roven track record of owning and driving category performance against commercial KPIs including sales, margin, and sell-through
D- eep knowledge of womenswear product, including fabrications, construction, fit, garment technology, and the full development lifecycle
E- xperienced in leading supplier negotiations and managing complex supplier relationships at a senior level
T- rack record of presenting confidently to senior stakeholders and influencing decisions at a leadership level
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ommercial & Analytical Skills
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- ighly commercially minded. You think in numbers as naturally as you think in product, and you hold both in equal regard
A- dvanced ability to interrogate data, identify patterns, and translate analysis into clear, measurable commercial actions
C- omfortable owning and driving Open-to-Buy and range planning frameworks alongside Merchandising
S- killed at balancing short-term trading decisions with long-term strategic planning, managing both with equal discipline
E- xperienced working in a trading environment where you are required to react to performance quickly, decisively, and with commercial accuracy
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roduct & Creative Eye
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- xceptional eye for product, with the ability to identify and articulate what makes a range commercially compelling, brand-right, and customer-relevant
I- nstinctive understanding of the womenswear customer, particularly within the premium-to-luxury space
C- onfident in influencing product direction from a design, fabrication, and aesthetic standpoint, while ensuring commercial viability
U- p to date with global fashion trends, key international market influences, and the competitive luxury and premium womenswear landscape
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eadership & Ways of Working
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- natural leader who leads by example, setting high standards, inspiring those around you, and developing talent within the team
E- xcellent communication skills, clear, concise, and compelling whether presenting to the board, directing suppliers, or developing junior team members
A- ble to manage, prioritise, and deliver across multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment without losing accuracy or attention to detail
S- olutions-focused and resilient. You bring calm clarity and clear recommendations when facing trading pressure or operational complexity
H- ighly organised with strong planning and process discipline, and the confidence to challenge or improve existing ways of working where needed
A- collaborative team player who builds trust across functions and brings people with them
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enefits and Perks:
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e believe great work happens when people feel supported, valued, and inspired—here’s how we make that happen:
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- 3 days holiday (25 days + bank holidays) + option to buy more!
P- ension scheme
S- alary sacrifice options (pension & childcare)
F- inancial wellbeing platform to support your goals
£- 1,250 annual The Fold gift voucher
B- ike to work scheme to save on bikes & equipment
E- mployee Assistance Programme (confidential wellbeing support when you need it)
E- ye care support
E- nhanced maternity pay
F- riends & family discount – enjoy 50% off full retail price
M- onthly social events, plus summer & Christmas parties
S- ummer Fridays for that early start to the weekend
F- ully stocked snack cupboards, fresh fruit, plus great coffee & tea
Opportunities to give back through volunteering with our charity partner, Smart Works
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hy The Fold:
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- brand with a clear point of view and a fiercely loyal customer base — you will be selling something you can believe in
O- pportunity to play a highly visible role in a growing premium fashion brand
D- irect exposure to the leadership team and key strategic initiatives
B- road and genuinely commercial remit with real influence on business performance
O- pportunity to help shape the next stage of international and operational growth
E- ntrepreneurial environment with high levels of ownership and autonomy
C- ollaborative culture with ambitious plans for the future
R- ecent investment from a new owner. The brand is at a new chapter of growth across both existing and new channels, and operates internationally.
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iversity and Inclusion:
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e promote a diverse and inclusive workplace which harnesses the benefits of the diversity of our team and strives to represent the communities in which we live and work. Our vision is to establish an environment that attracts individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and talents, empowering them to contribute their best and authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from those who share our commitment to fostering this inclusive and authentic work culture.
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