Trainee Buyer | Mr Price Sport (Durban)

Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (Station Drive Precinct) Job Type: Permanent / Graduate Development Programme Industry: Sportswear & Apparel Retail

The Career Path: From Trainee to Buyer

Mr Price Sport offers a Bespoke Trainee Development Programme. You won’t just be doing admin; you will be mentored by Senior Buyers and Talent Development Partners to master the entire “Merchandise Cycle”—from spotting a global trend to seeing that product sold in a store in Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Key Responsibilities

• Trade & Commercial Acumen: Learn to analyze how current sales are performing and identify risks or opportunities based on what competitors are doing.
• Sample Management: Act as the “custodian” of the department’s samples. You will manage the process from initial “fits” to Pre-Production Samples (PPS), ensuring everything is tagged and stored for strategy reviews.
• Seasonal Strategy: Work with the Planning team to learn how to allocate budgets, choose suppliers, and decide the “marketing focus” for upcoming seasons.
• Assortment Building: Learn the art of “The Buy”—selecting a well-considered mix of products that align with the brand’s goals.
• Order Booking: Ensure all orders are captured accurately in the system to keep the “Buying Critical Path” on schedule.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: A completed Diploma or Degree in one of the following:
  • Fashion Design
  • Clothing Management
  • Consumer Science (Clothing & Retail)
  • Textiles
• Knowledge: A foundational understanding of garment construction, fabrics, fibers, and quality.
• Experience: While this is a trainee role, any experience in the manufacturing industry or general retail is highly advantageous.

Essential Skills for Success

• Analytical Thinking: The ability to look at numbers and trends to make smart buying decisions.
• Organization: Managing hundreds of samples and strict deadlines requires elite time management.
• Passion for Sport/Fashion: You need to live and breathe the product category to understand what the Mr Price Sport customer wants.
• Communication: You will be presenting assortments and negotiating with suppliers, so clear communication is vital.