Permanent - Fashion Accessories Buyer - Johannesburg (Incl. Northern Suburbs) - South Africa

Reports to:  Head of Product & Merchandising

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly driven, commercially astute, and detail-oriented Fashion Accessories Buyer to join our buying and product development team. This role is suited to a confident individual with strong analytical and administrative capability, a hands-on approach to execution, and the willingness to travel internationally.

The successful candidate will manage the end-to-end buying, sourcing, and development of fashion accessory ranges across hair, beauty, gifting, and promotional accessory categories, ensuring all products are trend-relevant, commercially viable, and operationally sound from concept through to store execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Range Planning, Buying & Product Development

• Research and interpret global and local fashion trends, colours, materials, and concepts relevant to South African and export markets.
• Develop and manage seasonal and promotional accessory ranges aligned to brand strategy, margin targets, and customer demand.
• Brief, develop, and approve products with international suppliers, ensuring quality standards, cost competitiveness, and delivery timelines are met.
• Conduct competitor, market, and sales analysis to inform buying decisions and identify growth opportunities.
• Identify repeat opportunities, core lines, and newness to ensure balanced and profitable assortments.

Supplier & International Sourcing Management:

• Source, negotiate, and manage local and international suppliers, focusing on pricing, lead times, MOQs, and quality compliance.
• Travel internationally for factory visits, sourcing trips, and trade fairs to develop product and maintain supplier relationships.
• Evaluate supplier performance, implement corrective actions, and maintain accurate costing, approvals, and supplier records.
• Liaise closely with logistics and imports teams to track production and shipment progress.

Buying Administration, Indent & Program Support:

• Support the Director and Category Buyer on all indent and new business programs, from initial concept through to in-store execution.
• Coordinate design briefs, artworks, packaging details, approvals, volumes, timelines, and production schedules.
• Monitor manufacturing processes, shipment timelines, and critical-path milestones, particularly for high-volume or high-visibility promotions.
• Work with external partners such as SARU, Gallo, Pick n Pay, and other collaborators to ensure accurate and timely information flow.
• Ensure merchandising guidelines, FSUs, clip strips, and display instructions are clearly communicated and correctly executed in-store.
• Oversee store delivery roll-out plans and support logistics coordination for DC deliveries.
• Manage and resolve post-launch queries, including shortages, complaints, quality issues, and operational challenges.
• Maintain a comprehensive operational file for each project, including costings, timelines, risks, approvals, and performance reviews.

Performance Analysis & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Raise and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy across costs, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates.
• Analyse sales, margin, and stock performance to identify opportunities, risks, and corrective actions.
• Partner with merchandising, planning, marketing, and sales teams to align product launches and promotional activity.
• Present product performance insights and future buying recommendations in weekly and seasonal meetings.
• Provide product knowledge and execution support to internal teams to ensure consistent brand representation

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Degree or Diploma in Fashion Buying, Retail Management, Business, or a related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in fashion buying or product development, preferably within accessories, FMCG, or mass retail is beneficial

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commercial, numerical, and analytical capability.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills, including costings, sales tracking, and pivot tables.
• Confident communicator and negotiator with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, tight deadlines, and high-pressure promotional timelines.
• Strong fashion and trend sensibility with an eye for design, colour, and packaging.
• Proactive, self-sufficient, and comfortable working independently and collaboratively.

Other Requirements;

• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to meet changing business needs.

Require a strong candidate who is hardworking, disciplined, and well educated. The successful candidate will take on special projects in a buying capacity and will work closely with the Managing Director in a project coordinator role.

NB:  Overseas travel is a non-negotiable requirement for this position.

Working Hours:  Monday to Friday, 07:30 – 16:15