Buyer – Footwear at Cape Union Mart

Job Description


An exciting opportunity has become available at Cape Union Mart for a resilient, innovative and commercially astute Senior Buyer - Footwear to join our Outdoor team.
This role is ideal for a passionate footwear specialist who thrives in a fast‑paced retail environment and is motivated by delivering commercially successful ranges. You will be responsible for the end‑to‑end buying, sourcing and product development of both private label and branded footwear, ensuring ranges are trend‑relevant, technically sound and aligned to our brand and business objectives.


What you'll be doing


Preparing, coordinating and presenting seasonal footwear ranges
Executing ranges in line with business strategy, brand direction and financial targets
Presenting and leading range reviews with key stakeholders
Building, maintaining and managing strong supplier relationships
Negotiating and managing supplier contracts
Collaborating closely with Design, Planning, Quality, Marketing and Stores
Overseeing product design, quality, fit and technical performance
Managing and controlling sample stock
Trading the business in‑season to optimise performance
Attending local and international trade shows, visiting factories and researching global trends
Managing critical path timelines and general buying administration


What we're looking for


Grade 12 plus a relevant tertiary qualification
Minimum 5 years' experience in retail merchandise buying (footwear essential)
At least 2 years' product development experience within footwear
Strong specialist knowledge of footwear materials, construction and manufacturing processes
Deep understanding of technical footwear (highly advantageous)
Solid knowledge of the retail product lifecycle, buying principles and critical path management
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Experience with Oracle and PLM systems will be advantageous


Key competencies for success


A strong passion for trends, innovation and product
The ability to interpret and adapt trends for multiple target markets
Excellent negotiation and commercial decision‑making skills
Strong trader mentality with a strategic mindset
Proven ability to build and maintain influential relationships across functions
Confident communication and presentation skills
Excellent planning, organisation and time‑management abilities
High levels of resilience, agility and drive under pressure
Effective conflict management and problem‑solving skills