AddressBlackMilk Clothing is the destination for alternative pop fashion. We’re a label for those who don’t want to be labelled. We put our own twist on the word ‘fashionable’. We take the unfamiliar and the familiar to create something that transcends both. It’s fashion that you never knew you wanted until you saw it, and now you need it. It’s fashion that makes you feel good about who you are every time you put it on with the added bonus of having a direct or subtle reference to some seriously cool Pop Culture icons. We work with some of the best licensing players on the planet and we are just getting started.
We are proud to say that our Licensed Products and Team have been recognised and won a number of awards in recent years:
- 2018 Warner Bros. Gold Bunny Award Winner for Outstanding Wizarding World Partnership
- 2021 Warner Bros. Gold Bunny Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement
- 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards Winner for Apparel/Footwear/Accessories: The Legend of Zelda Collection
- 2022 Paramount Australia and New Zealand Consumer Products Winner for Collaboration of the Year: Avatar: The Last Airbender Collection
- 2023 License Global named us Leading Licensee in Apparel and Accessories
This is just the beginning and we are looking for someone to bring their passion, drive and love of all things Pop Culture to continue to do awesome things in the Licensing world and take our product and partnerships to the next level!
The Role
As the Buyer for Licensed Product, you will lead a team of extremely passionate cross-functional specialists who live and breathe Pop Culture to bring our ranges and our staple edit to life. Together you will create and deliver product that is more comfortable, more creative, more stylish, more in tune with the moment than anyone else is doing. We aren’t about just slapping a licensed asset in the middle of a t-shirt. If that’s you, that’s cool but this probably isn’t the job for you. We want the unexpected, the IYKYK references to bring our products to the next level for our diehard customers.
Typical activities of this role would include:
- Global trend & competitor research across licensing in all key and emerging markets
- Work in and lead a team to build, design and develop commercially balanced ranges and staples program to achieve KPIs in adherence to the critical path
- End to end category management
- Weekly, Monthly and post seasonal reporting drawing actionable insights to drive future ranges and trade activity
- Budget, order and inventory management
- Provide input into the development of the annual trade calendar by providing market and trend opportunities - we need our products to land on those key dates in the Pop Culture calendar
- Lead, inspire and support the growth and development of individual team members, specifically our Licensing Coordinator and Lead Graphic Textile Designer.
About You
First and foremost you get Pop Culture. You are in and deeply love it. After all, if you aren’t passionate about the products you are creating, why will our customers love them? You are a well-rounded Buyer with experience across the design and product development stages. You understand how to interpret licensing trends from the world to create brand relevant products. You bring a curiosity to your work, not afraid to ask the hard questions. You are a self-starter, and are most comfortable when working a team to create killer product. You have a flexible “can do’ attitude, with a solutions-focused approach. This is a big role and requires someone who can balance being very hands-on and in the detail with empowering the team to collaborate to deliver outcomes as the situation demands.
Some of the things we are looking for:
- Solid experience in a buying role, ideally in womenswear.
- Passion for popular culture and alternative fashion.
- Proven experience to interpret trends and build commercially successful ranges.
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Fashion Design/Buying (or equivalent).
- Inspirational leader with the ability to empower a team.
- Solid category management experience including range architecture, pricing, size curves, cost management, budget management, financial analysis, and inventory control/replenishment.
- Advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills.
- Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
- Effective communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
- Ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience working across international markets.
- Ability to demonstrate strong commercial acumen and business judgement.
Bonus points if you have the following:
- Apparel21 experience.
- Google Suite experience.
- Knowledge of different fabrications, trims and garment construction.
About Us
BlackMilk is an Australian fashion label that produces fun and unique products for our loyal and growing global customer base. We started from a kitchen table in 2009, and have been helping our alternative audience be fabulous ever since.
We are a passionate group of people who are committed to creating top quality and unique clothing. We are super proud that we get to do it right here in Brisbane, and we want to attract people who are as passionate as us about creating magical, shiny things every day!
Some words we live by:
Love It - We are passionate, positive and celebrate our wins!
Efficiency - We are planned and organised problem solvers who embrace a growth mindset.
Genuinely Care - We are community minded, collaborative and always authentic.
Super Cool - Curiosity, innovation and resilience means we find a way to transcend the ordinary.
When it comes to sustainability, like most brands, we are on a journey. What are we doing in this space? We keep our manufacturing efficient, minimising fabric wastage, recycling as much as possible, and use bags made from ocean bound plastics. We are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint. We love that we have a thriving community who actively buy, sell and swap BM gear to ensure our products are like cats...they all get nine lives.
Why Work with Us?
You will get to work with a passionate, fun and supportive team - working with product that impacts our strong community of customers.
We are a values-driven, socially inclusive, and supportive organisation. Our employees (and family) can access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) who provide support 24/7.
The following additional perks we like to offer as a way to say thank you for the energy, effort, and results our people deliver:
- Generous 50% team discount
- Professional, Technical & Leadership Development Programs
- No dress code - we are leggings-as-pants kind of people, but you do you - wear your style to work!
- Marketplace discounts (gift vouchers, movie tickets, products) offered through our HR platform
- Salary advancing through our HR platform - for all of those unexpected emergencies!
- Regular social events
- Free on-site parking
How to Apply
Ready to join team BlackMilk? Hit the apply button and send us your resume and a cover letter, highlighting your alignment and ability for this role.
We will commence screening and interviews as soon as suitable candidates are identified, so please do not delay with your application!
At BlackMilk, each and every person is welcome. Whatever your identity, sexuality, gender, race, or nationality may be, we are inclusive for all and celebrate each other’s individuality. BlackMilk acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live and work.
