Merchandise Buyer - Apparel

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. A relevant tertiary qualification in Retail, Commerce, or Fashion as a minimum.

• 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_hidden***

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 .