Girls Footwear Buyer

We’re on the hunt for a trendsetter, analytical guru, and all-round fashionista to join our team as a Footwear Buyer. Your thirst for product knowledge coupled with your eye for trends, is exactly what we’re looking for. If you’re ready to bring your A-game and make an impact on the world of kids fashion, hit that apply button now!

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a balanced product range in Girls Footwear

• Build seasonal ranges with a strong focus on fit, function, and Value

• Analyse sales data, customer insights, and market trends to inform buying decisions

• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and ensure margin targets are met

• Work closely with design, planning, and sourcing teams to deliver on time and in line with Ackermans product strategy

• Monitor product performance and take proactive action to optimise sales

Knowledge required:

• Knowledge of SA’s retail clothing market, customers and competitors.

• An in-depth understanding of the fashion retail cycle, critical path & buying processes.

• Understanding of relevant product trends for your target market

• Understanding of product fit, fabrication, and customer needs in Kids Footwear

Skills required:

• A sound ability to analyse and work with numerical data

• Merchant skills and a sound trader mentality

• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills

• Competent in working with a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system

• Identify, distinguish, understand and assess colours, CAD approvals and strike offs

• Ability to engineer products to achieve the desired value proposition

• Communicate effectively at all levels both within, as well as outside the company

• Presentation skills

• Competent in all the latest Microsoft applications

Experience Required:

• 3-5 years proven retail experience in the procurement/development of Footwear products.

Qualifications Required:

• A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric

• A relevant qualification in Fashion Design, Textile Design / Clothing Production / Product Development /Merchandising or a related field would be an advantage