Liam Bennett

• Phone: +44 7911 123456
• Email: liam.bennett@email.com
• Location: London, UK
• LinkedIn: liambennettbuyer

Summary

Led procurement strategies for fashion apparel and accessories across multiple retail channels for 8 years, consistently achieving 15%+ year-over-year growth in category sales. Expert in trend forecasting, supplier negotiation, and inventory optimization to maximize profitability and market share.

Successfully launched 5 new private label collections, contributing to a 20% increase in brand loyalty and driving significant improvements in gross margin through strategic sourcing and vendor management.

Experience

Senior Retail Buyer, Womenswear, Harrods -- London, UK

Mar 2019 – present

• Managed a multi-million-pound budget for luxury womenswear categories, overseeing product selection, pricing, and promotional strategies.

• Increased category sales by an average of 18% annually through data-driven trend analysis and strategic vendor partnerships.

• Negotiated favorable terms with international designers and suppliers, reducing cost of goods by an average of 7% while maintaining product exclusivity.

• Collaborated with visual merchandising and marketing teams to execute successful seasonal campaigns, driving footfall and online engagement.

Wholesale Buyer, Premium Accessories, Selfridges -- London, UK

Aug 2015 – Feb 2019

• Identified and onboarded 10+ emerging premium accessory brands, expanding the product offering and attracting new customer segments.

• Developed and maintained strong relationships with wholesale vendors, ensuring consistent supply chain performance and product quality.

• Analyzed sales data and market trends to forecast demand accurately, reducing overstock by 12% and improving inventory turnover.

• Contributed to a 15% growth in the premium accessories department by introducing innovative product lines and optimizing stock levels.

Assistant Buyer, Menswear, John Lewis & Partners -- London, UK

Sept 2013 – July 2015

• Supported senior buyers in product selection, order placement, and supplier communication for menswear categories.

• Assisted in market research and competitor analysis to identify gaps and opportunities in the product assortment.

• Managed purchase orders and ensured timely delivery of merchandise, contributing to efficient stock replenishment.

• Gained foundational experience in retail buying processes, including merchandising, pricing, and promotional planning.

Education

University of Westminster, BA (Hons) in Fashion Buying and Merchandising -- London, UK

Sept 2010 – June 2013

Skills

Buying & Sourcing: Strategic Sourcing, Vendor Management, Supplier Negotiation, Global Sourcing, Product Development, Private Label Development, Trend Forecasting, Market Analysis, Competitive Analysis

Retail Operations: Inventory Management, Stock Optimization, Merchandising, Retail Analytics, P&L Management, Sales Forecasting, Supply Chain Management, E-commerce Buying

Data & Software: SAP, Microsoft Excel (Advanced), Retail Management Systems (RMS), Tableau, Google Analytics, CRM Software

Soft Skills: Negotiation, Relationship Management, Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Cross-functional Collaboration