Buyer/ Product Manager (Casualwear, Denim, Suede & Leather)

Job Title: Buyer/ Product Manager (Casualwear, Denim, Suede & Leather)

Reporting to: Production Director

 

Location: White City Place, London

 

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Company

 

ME+EM is one of the UK’s fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. In addition to a thriving global digital presence, we operate flagship stores in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, concessions within Harrods and Selfridges, and have recently expanded with new store openings in the U.S.

 

 

 

​

 

​

 

At ME+EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding.

 

 

 

​

 

​

 

Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it’s fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone’s hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Role

 

The Buyer/Product Manager will be responsible for managing the critical path, supply base, product development, margin management, customer and brand focus, and team management to ensure the successful delivery of the product range.

 

 

 

​

 

​

 

Responsibilities

 

Critical Path Management:

 

• Manage the business calendar, ensuring proto’s and costs are ready for selection and subsequent meetings (Proto, Intake, Fit, Pre Prod, Shoot).

• Manage the team to ensure critical dates are achievable, realistic and all information is accurate on the tracking sheets to be able to make informed decisions.

• Manage the priorities and team workload to ensure that styles can achieve ‘into production’ deadlines and all fabric/ yarn/ trims are booked and actioned in line with the suppliers critical path.

• Managing the Garment Tech workload to ensure fit comments and CP deadlines are met.

​

 

​

 

 

 

Managing the Supply Base:

 

• Placing the ME+EM product with the appropriate supplier.

• Reviewing capacities in line with planned orders, ensuring production is equally distributed to maintain quality and delivery performance, managing any blockages or risks within the supply chain.

• Managing supplier relationships, addressing any issues or concerns and resolve any disputes in a timely manner.

• Regularly visit the Supply base.

​

 

​

 

 

 

Product:

 

• Working closely with Design to ensure the collection contains the Brand DNA, Fashion lego, considered end use, balance of styles, colour & retail prices.

• Highlighting any option discrepancies, gaps, risks, or new opportunities to ensure a commercial and well balance range is built.

• Work closely with Merchandising for trade reactions, trade concerns, being aware of sales, ‘best & worst’ information, input in units and sizing ratios using the knowledge for future decision making.

• Manage the fit session ensuring the appropriate samples are being fitted & approved in accordance with the brand DNA, critical path, cost and quality.

• Always considering - flattering, function, forever.

• Liaising with the Garment Tech to ensure garments are fit for production, analysing risk, highlighting problems, and supporting them to reduce returns and write offs.

• Management of fabric/ yarn/ trim issues in a factory to ensure the delivered product is to ME+EM standards.

• Management of quality rejects, driving the team to ensure rejected garments are processed, rejected or released as quickly and cost effective as possible to minimise lost sales.

​

 

​

 

 

 

Margin:

 

• Work with the Designer to ensure design, fabric & trim costs are workable to the target margins.

• Present cost price/ margin in the Product meetings (proto & range build), with recommendations for any styles under the target margin.

• Have an understanding of product make and costing, engineering cost prices, working with Design & the Supplier without compromising the design integrity and/ or quality.

• Responsible for the negotiation of cost prices with suppliers.

• Work with Design & Merchandising to ensure the Retail Price architecture is achieved, including entry price points for each category.

• Takes responsibility for the management of late deliveries and substandard quality issues, negotiating cost price reductions or payment of freight costs when relevant, protecting the margin wherever possible.

• Ensure excess fabrics are utilised quickly and in the most cost effective manner.

• Liaison with accounts on any supplier payment issues; authorising invoices, credit, debits etc.

 

 

 

 

Customer and Brand Focus:

 

• Attend Customer feedback meetings.

• Seasonal store visits – with Design & Technical to ensure brand KPI’s are consistently achieved.

• Seasonal Competitive shop – ensuring knowledge on competitor activity is up to date.

• Attend the Pre Production meeting to ensure management of shoot preparation, working closely with Design Director to ensure initial design concept is coming through on shoots.

• Liaise with marketing to ensure ‘Intelligent Style’ and Product information is consistent across the departments. Reviewing: Copy, Product names, Book & imagery checks.

 

 

​

 

​

 

Management:

 

• Responsible for the recruitment & induction of new team members, providing structured training, coaching, feedback and reviews.

• Provide clear communication, direction, roles & responsibilities.

• Responsible for the development and performance management of the team.

• Supports peers within the business.

• Highlights key area’s of concern to the Production Director.

 

 

​

 

​

 

 

 

Employee Benefits:

 

• 33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays)

• A day off to celebrate your birthday.

• Pension Scheme

• Group Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Length of Service Award

• Refer a Friend Scheme

• Staff uniform for retail employees

• Generous Staff and Friends and Family Discount

• Annual Volunteer Day

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Tech Scheme

• Eye Care Vouchers

• Real Living Wage Employer

• Employee led committees

• Social events and biannual parties

• Enhanced maternity and paternity package after 2 years of service.

 

 

​

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

ME+EM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our workforce. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we do not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that diversity enriches our workforce and strengthens our organisation. Therefore, we encourage minorities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply for opportunities within our company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, we can only reply to those that are successful to the next stage.