Buyer: Infants Apparel at Ackermans – Apply Now!

✨ About the Opportunity:

Do you have a flair for fashion and a keen eye for babywear trends? Ackermans is looking for a passionate and trend-savvy Buyer: Infants Apparel to join their dynamic Buying Department at the Support Centre. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the style of babywear across South Africa, ensuring the products are not only adorable but also meet safety and quality standards.

If you’re driven by data, energized by trends, and experienced in kids or babywear apparel procurement, this role is for you!

🎯 Key Responsibilities:

• Trend Analysis: Stay ahead of global and local babywear fashion trends, colours, and styles.

• Range Planning: Build balanced and commercially viable product ranges for the Infants category.

• Product Development: Work with product developers and suppliers to engineer baby garments that meet both aesthetic and safety standards.

• Compliance: Ensure all products comply with babywear-specific regulations, including fabric safety, labeling, fit, and construction.

• Supplier Relationships: Source and build strong partnerships with suppliers, ensuring quality and competitive pricing.

• Negotiation & Merchandising: Secure win-win deals with suppliers while ensuring product value.

• Market Understanding: Use insights from South Africa’s retail market to identify gaps and opportunities.

• Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with planners, designers, and QA teams to deliver on product vision.

• International Travel: Participate in overseas trips to source inspiration, materials, and supplier innovations.

🧠 Key Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong understanding of the fashion retail cycle, critical path, and buying processes

• Deep knowledge of South African retail, competitors, and target customers

• A sharp eye for babywear trends, styling, construction, and product development

• Proven analytical and numeric skills – able to interpret data and performance reports

• Excellent presentation and communication skills at all levels

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and capable of using tech for CAD approvals and colour assessments

• Ability to build shared visions, influence teams, and manage vendor relationships

• Passionate, detail-oriented, and driven to create fashion-forward babywear

🎓 Qualifications & Experience:

• Matric / Grade 12 Certificate (compulsory)

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Fashion Design, Clothing Production, Product Development, Textile Design, or Merchandising is advantageous

• 3–5 years’ proven experience in fashion retail buying, preferably in kids or baby apparel

💼 Why Join Ackermans?

Ackermans is one of South Africa’s most trusted value retailers, renowned for offering quality fashion at affordable prices. As part of the Ackermans Buying team, you’ll be surrounded by creatives and traders who are passionate about customer satisfaction and market innovation. You’ll also enjoy opportunities for international exposure and career growth in a collaborative environment.

🔗 Find similar jobs at:

👉 https://careerjunctionza.co.za/jobs/

💡 CV TIPS for This Role:

To increase your chances of landing this role, your CV should reflect:

• Apparel Buying Experience: Highlight specific categories you’ve worked on (e.g., babywear, kidswear, or fashion basics).

• Trend Analysis: Provide examples of how you’ve researched or forecasted fashion trends.

• Product Development Contributions: Showcase how you’ve helped engineer garments or worked with suppliers on product specs.

• Compliance Awareness: If you have experience ensuring apparel meets health and safety standards, call this out.

• Technical & Soft Skills: Demonstrate proficiency in tools like Excel and CAD, as well as your negotiation and relationship-building skills.

• Travel Experience: If you’ve participated in sourcing trips or supplier visits, mention these international exposures.

🔗 Company Website:
https://www.ackermans.co.za/page/corporate-information/careers