Lauren Saddington

Working with the Hunter Japan team and a global supply base to develop and deliver bags and accessories for the APAC region.

Men’s Footwear, Sneakers, Bags and Accessories

• Driving the development of 250+ options of accessories and 80+ options of apparel across jersey and outerwear, ensuring the successful delivery of salesman samples and hitting production deadlines • Work collaboratively with Product Merchandising and Wholesale sales teams to deliver a range that responds to customer demand and future trends at a global level • Responsible for taking the product from 2D CAD to final shipment and responsible for all areas including sourcing strategy, costing, QC, testing, fit and SMS delivery • Confidently presents product range to all senior leadership team including CEO with a focus on quality, sourcing and margin. Also takes part in presenting in our seasonal conference to the wider global teams • Implement sourcing strategy to ensure we have the right suppliers to deliver the right product with a focus on margin. • Ensure all products are globally compliant in terms of product testing, (physical and RSL) packaging and marketing copy • Implement wear trial strategy to ensure all products are tried, tested and fit for purpose

• Reported directly into the Director of Buying, responsible for the following departments worth a combined annual total sales of £30m and covering 600 options across both own label and international brands; Bags, SLGS, Soft accessories, Sunglasses, Men’s gift and Formal Accessories • Successfully delivered year on year margin growth through developing and delivering a concise supplier and sourcing strategy and new pricing architecture • Worked with brands to create SMU’s and exclusives and creating strategies to build year on year growth • Worked cross functionally with other areas of the business such as VM, Marketing, Press and online to push the accessories division through these channels. • Coach and lead the buying team through regular 1-2-1’s, setting clear objectives and annual review

• Reported directly to the Head of Buying for Private Label, working with Merchandising and Design to be fully accountable for a department worth £10m annually across over 700 options and responsible for delivering year on year sales and profit growth • Responsible for all product areas under the Accessories umbrella including leather accessories, summer footwear, swim and winter categories including soft accessories and slippers under 7 House Brand names.

• Reported directly to the Head of Buying, responsible for a department worth £47.5m annually across both Own Bought Brands and Concessions. • Created and implemented delivering seasonal strategy and building excellent relationship with key brands • Led store planning process, negotiating with brands and other menswear teams to ensure the optimum instore formalwear offering • Built excellent technical knowledge of tailoring fabrics, QA and fit.

• Working across 4 house brand names supporting the Buyer is all aspects of the buying process including critical path management, QA and fit, fabric sourcing, range building, in season trading and working with stores and ecomm teams.

• Gained invaluable knowledge working up the ladder across both branded and private label and covering both casualwear and formalwear. Working across jersey, outerwear, knitwear, bottoms, denim, shirting, formal suits, formal shirts