Role Overview
We are seeking a commercially minded and product-passionate Merchandise Buyer to join our apparel buying team. This is a hands-on role for a candidate who combines solid buying experience with genuine enthusiasm for sport, fitness, and an active lifestyle. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping our apparel assortment — translating consumer trends and market intelligence into well-structured, commercially driven product ranges.
Key Responsibilities
Range Building & Assortment Planning
- Develop, curate, and manage seasonal apparel ranges that are commercially viable, trend-relevant, and aligned with brand direction.
- Build and present range plans, including option counts, price architecture, and product mix, to internal stakeholders.
- Balance newness and commercial staples to drive full-price sell-through and minimise markdown exposure.
Supplier & Vendor Management
- Manage relationships with existing suppliers and identify new sources aligned with quality, cost, and sustainability requirements.
- Lead negotiations on cost price, payment terms, lead times, and exclusivity arrangements.
- Collaborate with suppliers on product development where applicable, including sampling, fit reviews, and tech pack briefs.
Commercial Analysis & Reporting
- Monitor and analyse sales performance, stock levels, and sell-through data to inform ongoing buying decisions.
- Produce regular trading reports and category reviews, making clear, data-backed recommendations for range adjustments.
- Work closely with the merchandising and planning teams to ensure OTB (Open-to-Buy) is managed effectively.
Market & Trend Intelligence
- Actively track consumer trends, competitor activity, and emerging product directions within the sport and active apparel market.
- Attend trade shows, brand presentations, and market events to stay ahead of product developments.
- Translate market insights into actionable product opportunities with clear commercial rationale.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with marketing, e-commerce, and retail teams to ensure product stories are effectively communicated and supported in-channel.
- Provide product briefs and range context to support visual merchandising, content creation, and promotional planning.
- Participate in range sign-off processes and contribute to seasonal critical path management.
Minimum Requirements
- 3–5 years of buying experience within apparel, sportswear, or a closely related retail category.
- Demonstrable experience managing end-to-end buying cycle, from range planning through to trading.
- Strong negotiation skills with a track record of managing supplier relationships effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and buying/merchandising systems; experience with retail ERP systems advantageous.
- Solid understanding of OTB management, margin principles, and stock planning fundamentals.
- Ability to interpret sales data and translate analysis into clear buying recommendations.
- A relevant tertiary qualification in Retail, Commerce, or Fashion as a minimum.
Competencies & Personal Attributes
- Product obsession: A genuine love of product — you think about what makes a range compelling, not just what sells.
- Commercial instinct: Strong ability to balance creative range-building with financial discipline and margin awareness.
- Passion for sport & fitness: An active lifestyle and authentic engagement with sport and fitness culture is a key differentiator for this role.
- Consumer awareness: Highly attuned to consumer behaviour, emerging trends, and what drives purchasing decisions in the active apparel market.
- Analytical thinking: Comfortable working with data; able to identify patterns, challenge assumptions, and make informed decisions.
- Curiosity & initiative: A natural tendency to explore, question, and seek out product and market opportunities proactively.
- Collaboration: Works effectively across teams and builds strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Resilience & pace: Thrives in a fast-moving retail environment; able to manage competing priorities without losing attention to detail.
Job Type: Permanent
Please forward your CV (no more than 3 pages) to [email protected]
Closing date for applications: Friday, 17 July 2026.
If your application has not been responded to by 31 July 2026, please accept that it has been unsuccessful.
Sportsmans Warehouse, a division of the Holdsport Group, is committed to the principles of the Employment Equity Act, and to achieving an equitably representative and diverse workforce.
Work Location: In person
