Buyer

Designation: BuyerBrand: BALRLocation: Dubai, UAEAbout SUMWON STUDIOSSUMWON STUDIOS is a global brand house building, scaling and reimagining culturally relevant fashion, lifestyle and consumer brands. Our portfolio includes MISSGUIDED, SUMWON, BALR, Baby Phat, Playboy, AiiRZ, KiZN, KSTM and 11SKNDS.In just a few years, we have grown from a start-up to one of the fastest-scaling brand platforms in the industry. Combining creativity, data, technology and an agile supply chain, we build brands designed to win in today's digital-first world.We operate at the intersection of culture, commerce and innovation. Whether launching new brands, acquiring established ones, or unlocking growth opportunities across our portfolio, we move quickly, think globally and challenge conventional ways of working.The RoleWe are looking for a commercially driven, product-focused Buyer to join BALR. within SUMWON STUDIOS’ Central Buying function. This role will be instrumental in developing and executing BALR.’s global product strategy, building commercially successful collections that balance premium sportswear, contemporary fashion and the brand’s distinctive lifestyle positioning.Working closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, Supply Chain and E-commerce, you will translate brand direction, customer insights and trading performance into a compelling product offer. You will take ownership of the buying process from range planning and product selection through to costing, pricing, order placement and in-season performance, ensuring collections deliver against sales, margin and inventory targets.Operating within SUMWON STUDIOS’ centralised platform, you will leverage group capabilities, sourcing partnerships, data and technology to drive product innovation, improve speed to market and build a scalable, efficient operating model for BALR. The role requires a strong balance of commercial judgement, product sensibility and operational execution, with the ability to identify opportunities, make data-led decisions and drive results in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.Key ResponsibilitiesRange Planning & Product StrategyDevelop and execute seasonal buying plans for BALR., aligned with brand positioning, customer expectations and commercial objectives.Build balanced product ranges across core essentials, mainline collections, activewear and seasonal fashion, ensuring the right mix of foundational products, newness and trend-led opportunities.Partner with Design and Product Development to translate creative direction into commercially viable collections, identifying opportunities to develop, test, scale and discontinue products.Establish clear product architecture across silhouettes, fabrics, colours, branding and price points to create consistency, differentiation and a recognisable brand identity.Monitor competitor activity, market trends and consumer behaviour to identify opportunities for product innovation and category growth.Buying, Pricing & Commercial PerformanceOwn the seasonal buying process, from range selection and option planning through to quantity recommendations, order placement and delivery management.Develop pricing strategies that reinforce BALR.’s premium positioning while maintaining competitiveness, profitability and alignment with target customer expectations.Manage product costing, initial mark-ups, intake margins and overall commercial performance, working with cross-functional teams to achieve agreed financial targets.Analyse historical sales, sell-through, stock levels and product performance to inform future buying decisions and improve range productivity.Identify opportunities to maximise sales and margin, minimise markdown exposure and improve stock turn through effective option and quantity planning.Monitor in-season trading performance and recommend timely actions to respond to changing demand, stock risks and emerging opportunities.Product Development & SourcingWork closely with Product Development and Sourcing to ensure products meet BALR.’s expectations for quality, fit, fabric, finish and value.Partner with SUMWON STUDIOS’ central sourcing and supply-chain teams to leverage group capabilities, supplier relationships and sourcing efficiencies without compromising brand standards.Ensure product selections are commercially viable, technically achievable and aligned with target costs, margin expectations and critical-path timelines.Review and challenge supplier costing, minimum order quantities, lead times and production capabilities to improve commercial outcomes.Support fabric, trim, colour and product development initiatives that improve consistency, quality, efficiency and speed to market.Proactively identify and resolve risks relating to product development, costing, quality, production and delivery.Supply Chain & Critical Path ManagementManage the buying critical path in collaboration with Design, Product Development, Sourcing and Supply Chain, ensuring key seasonal milestones are achieved.Track product development, sampling, costing, approvals, purchase orders and deliveries to maintain visibility of progress and potential risks.Ensure buying decisions are aligned with supplier capacity, production lead times, launch dates and channel requirements.Maintain accurate product data, buying records, purchase orders and range information across relevant systems.Escalate delays, cost variances and delivery risks early, driving clear actions and accountability across stakeholders.Trading, Reporting & Data-Led Decision MakingProduce regular buying and product performance updates, highlighting sales trends, margin performance, stock exposure and opportunities for improvement.Use data, reporting tools and emerging technologies to improve forecasting, product selection, range efficiency and decision-making.Translate commercial insights into clear actions for future seasonal ranges, repeat orders, product recolouring and new product development.Support the development of scalable buying processes and best practices across BALR. and the wider SUMWON STUDIOS portfolio.Cross-Functional CollaborationBuild strong working relationships across Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Marketing and E-commerce.Ensure buying decisions support global brand objectives and the needs of different sales channels and markets.Collaborate with Wholesale and E-commerce teams to align product availability, launch timing, key styles and commercial priorities.Contribute to a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration across the central function.Support special projects, collaborations and new business opportunities that drive BALR.’s growth and strengthen its market position.What We’re Looking ForBuying Experience: Proven experience in a buying role within fashion, sportswear, premium apparel or lifestyle brands, with a strong understanding of the end-to-end buying process.Commercial Acumen: A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to translate sales data, customer insights and market trends into effective range plans, pricing strategies and buying decisions.Product & Fashion Awareness: A clear understanding of contemporary fashion, sportswear and lifestyle trends, with the ability to identify commercially relevant products that align with BALR.’s brand positioning and customers.Range Architecture: Experience building balanced product ranges across core essentials, seasonal collections and trend-led products, with a strong understanding of option planning, product lifecycle management and range productivity.Margin & Cost Management: Strong knowledge of product costing, retail pricing, intake margins, stock management and markdown control, with the ability to challenge costs and drive profitable growth.Sourcing & Supply Chain Knowledge: An understanding of garment manufacturing, fabric and trim development, supplier capabilities, minimum order quantities, lead times and production critical paths. Experience working directly with sourcing teams and overseas suppliers is highly advantageous.Analytical & Data-Driven: Confident working with sales reports, stock analysis, forecasting and performance metrics to make informed buying decisions and identify opportunities to improve commercial results.Cross-Functional Collaboration: A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Marketing and E-commerce to deliver commercially successful collections.Technology & Innovation: An interest in using AI, digital tools and data-driven processes to improve product development, buying efficiency, forecasting and decision-making.Ownership & Agility: A proactive, solutions-oriented individual who takes ownership, challenges existing ways of working and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.Communication & Organisation: Strong communication, negotiation, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and maintain attention to detail.Global Mindset: Comfortable working across international teams, markets and supplier bases, with an understanding of how to balance global brand consistency with local commercial requirements.What we'll bring25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after your first year30% employee discount across SUMWON STUDIOS brandsOngoing learning and development opportunitiesCompany social eventsThe opportunity to work with a high-performing team building brands at global scaleWhy Join Us? This is an opportunity to join a business in growth mode. You'll have the chance to make a visible impact, take ownership, move quickly and help shape the future of a multi-brand platform operating across global markets.