Buyer (Sportswear)

About ASOS

ASOS combines fashion-led creativity with modern technology, with a focus on helping people bring out their best. The company aims to give customers the confidence to be themselves, and it offers employees the freedom to express individuality and creativity in a platform seen by millions.

The role

The Buyer for Sportswear is a key commercial role, working across Merchandising, Design and Technical teams to create a commercially strong, trend-aware product range for the ASOS customer. The role requires a strategic and highly organised approach, with a strong understanding of fashion trends and the ability to help move the range forward across global markets. In partnership with Merchandising and supported by customer and market insight, the Buyer is responsible for helping deliver sales and profit goals through an effective product strategy.

About the team

The Buying team helps position ASOS as a leading destination for fashion-focused 20-something shoppers across womenswear and menswear. Within Own Buy, including ASOS Design, AsYou and Collusion, the teams develop and deliver ranges that push boundaries while meeting customer needs. They work closely with Design, Merchandising, Marketing, Garment Technology and a broad international supplier base to ensure the best possible product offering. Branded Buying teams source and shape the brand mix for their areas, from large commercial labels to premium designers and newer brands, creating exciting trend-led assortments with clear market differentiation.

Key responsibilities

• Build a balanced departmental range that reflects brand direction, avoids gaps and duplication, and is planned logically and commercially for the season.
• Partner with Design to define product direction for the department and keep it aligned with divisional and brand strategy.
• Help deliver department KPIs to improve margin and profit, while identifying and managing risks with Merchandising.
• Use sales and trend data, along with customer and market insight, to anticipate what the 20-something customer wants, including global market considerations.
• Trade the range effectively by spotting assortment gaps and high-impact opportunities while managing risk.
• Work with planning and trading documents to shape category analysis and inform the evolution of the buy.
• Contribute ideas and actions that reduce cost and improve efficiency.
• Develop ranges with Options, ALB strategy and global requirements in mind, and adjust in season when needed to maximise opportunity or reduce risk.
• Collaborate with Merchandising to capture lessons learned, keep buying within OTB, and influence trend and performance outcomes.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Monitor global trends and competitor activity, and use that insight to refine product strategy.
• Ensure brand purpose and Fashion with Integrity principles are embedded in day-to-day work, including finding opportunities to use sustainable materials where possible.
• Work with Marketing on promotional and campaign opportunities and help ensure clear, consistent brand messaging.
• Set up a trial calendar and work with key stakeholders to create programme frameworks.
• Partner with Sourcing to strengthen the supply base, maintain best-practice relationships and identify pressure points or over-saturation.
• Support and drive cross-functional projects and initiatives, and actively champion change.
• Lead and develop a strong team of ABs and BAs, with a focus on future talent growth.
• Provide clear direction, coaching and development support, while identifying training needs and encouraging collaborative working.
• Motivate the team through recognition and regular feedback.
• For branded buying, develop the brand portfolio by assessing desirability and relevance by segment and identifying brand churn/mapping.
• Use global market knowledge, shows, Instagram and street trends to source fresh, contemporary brands that remain commercially viable and profitable.

Requirements

• Substantial experience as a Junior Buyer or Buyer in a fast-moving global retail environment.
• Proven ability to grow a department through both creative thinking and commercial judgement.
• Strong visual and trend awareness, with a good grasp of retail market conditions and competitor activity.
• Advanced negotiation and influencing ability.
• Confidence to win support from colleagues and leadership for new opportunities.
• A commercial approach that uses data and insight to identify opportunities that benefit both the department and wider retail strategy.
• Deep understanding of planning and trading documents, with the confidence to challenge figures and plans when needed.
• Ability to use market insight to support decisions and secure the best outcome for the business.
• Strong awareness of current trends, retail conditions and global opportunities, including competitor assortments, pricing and trading behaviour.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with stakeholders and suppliers.
• An inclusive leadership style that sets a positive example and gives the team clear direction and development.
• Strong prioritisation ability and systems knowledge, including trading systems and MS Office.

Additional information

The role offers a competitive salary, pension and private medical care scheme, plus a performance-related bonus. A flex benefits allowance is included, which can be taken as cash or used toward other benefits. You will also receive 25 days of paid annual leave, an extra day for your birthday, and employee discount on ASOS purchases.

Working style

This is a full-time, onsite position based in London, England, United Kingdom.

What this role includes

The job involves working across buying, merchandising, design, sourcing, marketing and supplier management, with responsibility for both commercial performance and product direction. It also includes team leadership, coaching and cross-functional project involvement.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Pension
• Private medical care scheme
• Performance-related bonus
• Flex benefits allowance, payable as cash or used toward other benefits
• 25 days of paid annual leave
• One additional day off for your birthday
• Employee discount

Fashion with Integrity

The role calls for a clear understanding of ASOS brand purpose and the Fashion with Integrity approach, with an expectation that sustainable materials are considered wherever possible.