Chi Louise Croft-njoku
15 Jeger Ave., London
Summary
A highly dedicated and dynamic Senior Buyer, with 16 years' experience in the Fast Fashion industry. Product focused and results driven, with a proven track record of success across omni-channel portfolios. Extensive experience in retail Head Office settings and mulit-product buying, with astute awareness of customer buying habits, rising trends and changes in the supply chain.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Buyer - Denim & Wovens
Wehkamp - Private Label
Amsterdam
10.2021 - Current
- Source suppliers across, India, Turkey and China to secure most relevant product assortment achieving best margin. Mixing short and long lead production.
- Undertake regular inspiration, sourcing and trade show trips to ensure price conscious, trend led and strategically developed ranges.
- Developing and launching Kidswear to Anytime across denim and wovens product categories.
- Supporting Menswear team in the interim before the new Buyer starts role, developing range and landing launch package.
- Work closely with marketing team to ensure product pushes, marketing campaigns and all social media avenues are fully exploited.
Actively Seeking Employment
.
London
11.2020 - 10.2021
Senior Buyer - Denim, Casual Wovens & Non-Clothing
Warehouse Fashion (New Ownership)
London
07.2020 - 11.2020
- Successfully sourced, developed and re-launched Womenswear Denim, Casual Wovens and Non-Clothing ranges, including Footwear, in 2 months under the new ownership of the Boohoo Group, reported into Chief Product Officer.
- Delivered 32% of annual company sales across 300 options per month.
- Managed, cross-costed, sourced, negotiated and co-ordinated a sustainable core denim jeans range rolled out across all 4 of the London based brands i.e, Coast, Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse, for December 2020 intake.
- Secured collective 76% intake margin for core denim jeans range, an increase of 3PP vs. LY.
- Worked closely with denim mills and factory to ensure best denim jeans quality vs. price, wash, performance capabilities and optimum fit.
- Collaborated with the marketing department to decide on company social content and brand pushes on a weekly basis. Co-ordinating the E-commerce commercial calendar, managing all product launches and mailouts.
- Managed 2 direct reports and collaborated with 2 separate designers.
Senior Buyer - Menswear and Womenswear Denim
Warehouse
London
01.2019 - 03.2020
- Rapidly co-created and launched Sustainable Warehouse Menswear on-line, mid February 2020, comfortably presenting, energising and communicating the new venture at all levels through to C-suite.
- Multi-product bought Menswear range consisting of 80 options (Intake value 800k) with a planned 150 options (Intake value 1.7M) for AW20. Off to a strong start Menswear was planned to grow to 20% of the company sales in next 3 years.
- Multi managed alongside Warehouse Menswear, Women's Denim, 200 options per year, 6% sales mix with a sales plan of £6.1 million. SS19 half sales successfully accounted for 6.5% sales v 5.6% LY, increasing profit 13% (+150k) an increase of 5PP vs. LY.
- Devoted special emphasis to the requirement that 100% of the Menswear collection be sustainable, offering a stylish, quality driven environmentally conscious range in line with the Women's price arc.
- Leading the delivery of the new revenue streams KPI's vs. competitors, sourcing a Menswear manufacturing supplier base with sustainable capabilities. Negotiating reduced MOQ's, ensuring sustainable sourced yarns/fabrics all with appropriate accreditation.
- Excellent Collaborative relationship with all internal functions including, Design, Merchandising, E-Commerce, Marketing and Press to ensure consistency and clarity regarding the vision.
- Managed 2 direct reports and a team of 4 in total.
Buyer - Womens Outerwear, Denim, Suede & Leather
Warehouse
London
02.2015 - 01.2019
- Multi-managed, grew and generated sales of £15 million across 3 departments Outerwear, Suede & Leather and Denim, managing a total of 300 options, 20% sales mix (SS19/AW19).
- Consistently grew down time business for relevant departments over last 4 years building key relationships with suppliers to ensure year on year margin growth and high standards of consistent quality.
- Worked closely with Merchandiser, across departments, managing OTB, flow lines, risk and opportunity, stocks, trials and trade.
Buyer - Blouses, Outerwear, Denim, Blazers & Pants
Urban Outfitters
London
04.2012 - 10.2014
Junior Buyer/Buyer - Smart Jersey
River Island
London
09.2009 - 04.2012
BAA/Assistant Buyer - Knitwear & Jersey
Warehouse
London
03.2005 - 09.2009
BAA - Jersey
Select
London
07.2004 - 03.2005
Education
BA (Hons) - Fashion Promotion & Illustration
Surrey Institute Of Art & Design
Epsom08.2004
Skills
- Creative Curation
- Commercial Sensibility
- Sustainable Fabric knowledge/Sourcing
- Planning
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Excellent Interpersonal skills
- Leadership & Management
- Team player
- Project Management
- Multi-Tasking
- Organization
Certification
Fashion's Future: The Sustainable Development Goal's Fashion Revolution
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Senior Buyer - Denim & Wovens
Wehkamp - Private Label
10.2021 - Current
Actively Seeking Employment
.
11.2020 - 10.2021
Senior Buyer - Denim, Casual Wovens & Non-Clothing
Warehouse Fashion (New Ownership)
07.2020 - 11.2020
Senior Buyer - Menswear and Womenswear Denim
Warehouse
01.2019 - 03.2020
Buyer - Womens Outerwear, Denim, Suede & Leather
Warehouse
02.2015 - 01.2019
Buyer - Blouses, Outerwear, Denim, Blazers & Pants
Urban Outfitters
04.2012 - 10.2014
Junior Buyer/Buyer - Smart Jersey
River Island
09.2009 - 04.2012
BAA/Assistant Buyer - Knitwear & Jersey
Warehouse
03.2005 - 09.2009
BAA - Jersey
Select
07.2004 - 03.2005
BA (Hons) - Fashion Promotion & Illustration
Surrey Institute Of Art & Design