Senior Buyer Knits: Fabiani

The Buyer III is responsible for driving the selection and sourcing of trend-driven clothing and accessories that align with brand strategy and customer expectations. This role oversees market analysis, supplier negotiations, and product assortment planning to maximize sales and profitability. With a strategic mindset and strong leadership skills, the Buyer III also mentors junior team members and collaborates closely with key stakeholders to ensure a competitive and compelling product offering.

• Own the Knits category strategy for Fabiani across tees, golfers, sweats and knitwear, balancing core essentials with seasonal newness
• Lead fabric development and innovation: source new yarns, jerseys, piqués, fleeces and finishes that set Fabiani apart and justify the price point
• Get fit, fabric and finish right on every style, with sharp attention to detail on handle, weight, construction and wash performance
• Build a clear good,better,best price architecture and option plan with the planner, using sales history, customer insight and market trends
• Track international menswear trends and fabric developments and translate them into product that fits the Fabiani customer
• Lead global and local supplier relationships and negotiations to land intakes on time, to quality and at target cost and margin, including local and international buying trips
• Apply the Quick Response model in season: read performance early, chase winners and manage exit risk
• Deliver against sales, margin, stock turn and full price sell through KPIs
• Work closely with planning, quality and technical teams to deliver the business plan and uphold product standards
• Coach and develop the buying tea

• Diploma or degree (Textiles, Fashion, Retail or Business advantageous)
• 5+ years’ buying experience in clothing retail, ideally in menswear knits
• Specialist fabric knowledge across jersey, piqué, fleece and knitwear
• Strong understanding of fit and garment construction, with a sharp eye for detail
• Solid understanding of the retail buying cycle and the Quick Response model
• Strong commercial and analytical ability, confident in Excel and retail systems
• Proven negotiator with experience managing global and local supply bases

Skills

• Cross functional collaboration
• Fit, fabric and finish evaluation
• Knits product development and range building
• Market research and trend analysis
• Global and local sourcing
• Supplier management and negotiation
• Quick Response implementation
• Planning and organising

• Coaching and mentoring

Behaviours

• Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Collaborates - effectively works with others to achieve shared goals
• Communicates Effectively - conveys information and communicates ideas in a clear, concise and impactful manner
• Customer Focus - understands, anticipates, and meets the needs and expectations of customers
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Persuades - effectively influences others by gaining support and commitment in the delivery of organisational goals and objectives
• Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives

Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.