A Day in the Life of a Buying Manager

Buyers are literally real-life time travellers. Reviewing and acting on current trading figures, planning future ranges, and reflecting on lessons learnt from last year — buyers have to be able to move through all three on a daily basis. A typical day can start with checking in with the design team working on new trends, ensuring best sellers are covered and the new designs are delivered in a commercial way. Daily updates with suppliers on current orders, and projections for new ones. Strategy meetings with buyers, planning marketing campaigns, store visits — all in between juggling product sign-off meetings. While managing the day-to-day running of the department, no two days are the same. What is always constant is that the customer has to be at the centre of every decision and process through the week.

In my most recent roles I've challenged companies to think differently about their brand perception, and to review traditional ways of working internally and with suppliers. Retail needs to evolve with the changes in society's mindset; those who don't react lose touch with their customer. Next gave me the opportunity to work on every product category, with my longest buying placement on dresses! I loved this as you can do a bit of everything for every woman. Introducing KLEY at Debenhams in 2019 was a great achievement — attracting new customers to Debenhams as well as broadening the product offer for existing ones with elevated, effortless, timeless style: beautifully made and ethically sourced pieces made with sustainable materials.

I always wanted to buy a brand that I wanted to wear, as I always say “if I can't wear it, I can't sell it!” As a Black West Indian woman, there aren't many in the business at my level who look like me, and it's been a constant challenge to highlight the importance of diversity in imagery used by British retailers to truly reflect what the UK actually looks like. I'm proud I have been able to contribute in some way to this at Debenhams.

Know your customer. You need to know all aspects of their life to be able to pre-empt what they want. These days we can no longer rely too much on sales history to predict sales. Loving clothes and fashion is a given. Buyers are like fashion economists — you have to keep on top of what's going on in the world as it all affects how people spend. Buying is a lifestyle career. Good buyers never switch off; you are constantly people-watching, checking out what's in the stores, range-building in your head.

Multitasking and organisation is essential. There is no right way to do this — find a way that works for you and your team. Be on top of what needs to be done, prioritise and empower your team. At the end of the day, if it doesn't contribute to putting money in the till, it can wait. Respect everyone, be fair and be open to learn. The more you know about what happens behind the scenes, the more effective your negotiations and decision-making will be. Be open to change and be flexible. Don't fake it — if you don't know, ask. People respect honesty. No one has time for a smart aleck! Finally, you have to love it — it's hard work, demanding, and not always glamorous, but it's so rewarding when you can see real people wearing product you created.

I always say it must be amazing to be a food and wine buyer! I'd love to work in the music and entertainment industry.

Recently I've found new ways to update what I have, and new emerging independent brands. My favourites at the moment are the_Mie — amazing linen and cotton dresses — and Sincerely Tommy: amazing contemporary clothes and accessories with a few home-decor gems thrown in for good measure.