Buyer & Design Co-ordinator

About Us :

Established in 2008 by designer Kristy Barber, Kuwaii is duly esteemed for making beautiful, intelligently designed clothing and footwear for women, and is one of Melbourne’s iconic and first slow fashion brands. 

Kuwaii is an inimitable alternative to mass-produced fashion. Made in Australia, Melbourne to be precise, each article is meticulously designed to last and to be cherished.

Refined, detailed, and romantic, form and function find accord in modern shapes, clean lines, and impeccable tailoring. Our three immaculate, light-filled Kuwaii stores can be found in Brunswick, Fitzroy, and Melbourne's Cathedral Arcade, at the foot of the iconic Nicholas Building.

We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and identities, LGBTIQ+ people, and people with a disability to apply.

About You :

• At least two years or more buying experience or similar related role 
• Interest in slow fashion and passionate about the world of retail 
• Tertiary qualification in Fashion / Marketing/ Business highly regarded

Position Summary :

A very rare opportunity has arisen to join our small and close-knit design team in the role of our Buyer & Design Co-ordinator. We are looking for a passionate, committed, and super organised design professional to be the right-hand person to our Designer/Director and be closely involved in the conception and creation of every Kuwaii collection. We are looking for someone with a keen eye for product: someone who has a passion for slow fashion and lives and breathes our small business world would be ideal!

You will directly assist the designer & production manager with the product development of our new collections, ensuring we meet key deadlines. You will assist with our photoshoots and campaigns and see the creative all the way through to launch. You will place orders for our stock and liaise with our retail and sales team. This is an exciting, multifaceted, hands-on role in a small business setting perfect for someone coming from a buyer, merchandiser or allocator background. 

• Work within a small business framework, in a slow fashion setting
• Full Time, 38 hours over 5 days a week with flexible start/finish times for work-life balance
• Opportunity for driving real change in an ethically minded business
• Based in our beautiful Brunswick head office 
• Seasonal Wardrobe allowance to ensure you are always showing off our product 
• Generous discounts on Kuwaii stock
• Super fun and supportive team.

Key Requirements :

You will come equipped with:

• At least two years or more buying experience or similar related role 
• Interest in slow fashion and passionate about the world of retail 
• Tertiary qualification in Fashion / Marketing/ Business highly regarded
• Strong communication skills (written/verbal) 
• High level experience using Microsoft Office Suite (especially excel) 
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite 
• Highly organised and with impeccable time management skills
• High level time management and work well under pressure
• Strong understanding of product trends and instinctive feeling about product concepts
• Be energetic and passionate about slow fashion
• Be organised and methodical
• Have impeccable presentation skills
• Enjoy working in a busy, deadline-driven, creative environment
• Hands-on can-do attitude, and a team player! 

Job Responsibility :

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assist head designer with product and design development
• Work with our designer to constantly push to improve the Kuwaii product, sales and brand
• Assist with selection, development, and source fabrications and trims etc
• New product & range development planning to ensure on time delivery of sample range and to stores 
• Manage product development with contractors (some in house patternmaking if skill set allows)
• Adhere to & meet key timelines 
• Run/participate in fitting sessions and approve final samples
• Contribute to costing estimates
• Assist on photoshoots, ensuring all products are photographed with running sheet 
• Manage the critical path from product conception to delivery to store
• Work with the production team to ensure timely delivery to store 
• Design specification sheets & detailed sketches 
• Conduct consistent local and internet market research on similar brands 
• Build, expand and execute ranges with head designer 
• Manage brand launches
• Assist marketing team with executing and implementing promotions including launches, product released and social media campaigns
• Analyse industry and consumer trends
• Supporting and working with retail and e-comm to hit sales targets

How To Apply:

If you think you could be the perfect candidate for this role, please submit your application via our HappyHR portal, with your cover letter and CV detailing your experience, in accordance with the Key Requirements and Responsibilities listed above. Please also include answers to the following questions in your application:

• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• What's your expected annual base salary?

Job Functions :

Fashion

Job Benefits :

We are offering to invest in the continual growth and development of your career, an inspiring work environment with a fabulous all-female team, and the opportunity to work with an amazing, locally made product every day.

• Full time, 38 hours, Monday to Friday with flexible start and finish times for work-life balance 
• Wardrobe allowance to ensure you are always showing off our product 
• Generous discounts on Kuwaii stock.
• Early access to our sample sales.
• Put your friends and family on our discount list.
• Work within our amazing, positive team culture.

Selling Point :

Work in an inspiring work environment with a fabulous team, and an amazing, locally made product!

Contact :

Ellen Tirant