Senior Buyer Men's Non-Denim Lowers

ROLE

To lead the category strategy, sourcing, product development, assortment planning and commercial performance of the Non-Denim Lowers category, covering chinos, trousers, cargoes, joggers, shorts and other woven/knit bottoms. The role will drive profitable growth through trend-led product development, effective OTB management, vendor partnerships and strong understanding of fabrics, fits and consumer preferences.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute the seasonal category strategy across core, seasonal and fashion products.
• Build the assortment architecture across fits, fabrics, colours, price points and silhouettes to maximize sell-through and margins.
• Partner with Planning teams for OTB management, sales forecasting, inventory flow and markdown planning.
• Drive product development with strong understanding of cotton twill, poplin, linen, canvas, Tencel, stretch blends and other bottom-weight fabrics.
• Work with vendors and technical teams on fabric development, garment dyeing, washes, finishes, fit, grading and construction.
• Identify and develop new domestic and international vendor partnerships to strengthen the sourcing base.
• Lead negotiations on costing, MOQ, lead time, payment terms and commercial terms to achieve targeted margins.
• Monitor vendor performance on quality, cost, delivery and OTIF.
• Track global and domestic fashion trends, competitor activity, consumer preferences and market developments to identify new product opportunities.
• Translate sales data, customer feedback and regional requirements into commercially viable product ranges.
• Collaborate with Planning, Marketing and Visual Merchandising teams to ensure effective product presentation and category performance.
• Mentor and guide Assistant Buyers / Associate Buyers and build category expertise within the team.
• Monitor key category metrics including Margin %, Sell-Through %, COGS and Stock-to-Sales and take corrective actions where required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Buying, Textile Technology, Business Administration, Retail Management or a related field.
• 7–10 years of relevant buying experience in retail/apparel.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience specifically in Menswear Non-Denim Lowers, including chinos, trousers, cargoes, joggers or woven bottoms.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, fit, washes, finishes and trims.
• Strong commercial understanding with proficiency in retail math, margin management, sell-through and inventory metrics.
• Proven expertise in vendor management, sourcing and commercial negotiations.
• Strong trend forecasting, analytical and decision-making skills.