Sally Arkley Wade

My role is to implement, drive & lead the buying strategies for all division’s at Signet UK, driving product alignment for both H.Samuel and Ernest Jones. • Managing the entire buying process, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer preferences. • Implemented innovative strategies that enhance product offerings across both online and physical stores. • Develop strong relationships with suppliers to secure the best products for our brands.

Overall responsibility in Ernest Jones & H.Samuel for the Gold, Silver, Men’s & Kids Jewellery division’s and Watches & Brands

Developing and delivering new product strategy to grow handbags business in short time frame, implementing new handwriting, refocusing ranges & structure, whilst managing team to improve current ways of working & processes.

Responsible for buying branded ranges and own brand ranges across multiple product types, strategically planning & building 2000+ options per season, managing and working closely to Merchandising, Design and Buying teams to create and trade strong, commercial, profitable, trend & consumer led ranges. • Delivering and driving departmental product and sourcing strategy each season, accountable for anticipating and meeting the product requirements of the customer, by creating balanced and innovative ranges, through quality & price point, whilst also being reactive to the market and trends, by using new and existing brand/product analysis for own brand, concessions and international brands to contribute to the strategic product plans • Responsible in managing and working closely to Merchandising team, accountable for the assortment and buy planning to deliver the right balance of newness and depth of buy, taking proactive and considered risks to drive sales & profit, planning and being reactive to promotional activity, reviewing and signing off seasonal financial plans • Managing Buying and Design teams to ensure that ranges meet overall strategic guidelines in terms of trend, price & category, developing & designing profitable product with key supplier base and working closely with Buying team to achieve margin targets and developing commercial product in line with critical path • Building strong relationships with suppliers and brands across UK, Europe, China & India, ensuring high QC guidelines, negotiating contracts and supplier terms, and working closely with brands to support with website, financial targets and promotional activity support. • Seasonal reviews and sign offs, presenting ranges and building financial planning packs to present to Directors • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver strategy, hit financial targets, highlight promotions and educating teams about new ranges landing in store and online

Managing and planning 15 different product ranges including Home product, building & developing 800+ options per season, introducing new processes, ways of working and managing critical path which has reflected in strong sales, profit growth, fast reaction to trends and in season trading whilst managing risks. • Planning & implementing strategy each season which has strengthened performance of the department by launching new ranges, new product initiatives, new packaging, targeted customer growth & improved market share • Manage and mentor Buying team, which consists of 2 Assistant Buyers & 3 Buying Admins Assistants whilst also managing and working alongside Merchandising team, Technologist and Designer, a strong team dynamic which has led to strong product offer, fast paced in season trading and consistently good availability into stores • Continually reviewing supplier base, sourcing new factories, and strengthening relationships, consistent communication and regular trips to the Far East, India, and Europe to build & develop ranges, react to trends, sign off product, negotiate prices and manage critical path • Project Management responsibility for seasonal gifting events and charity product across Womenswear, Home, Kidswear, Menswear, Lingerie, Beauty and Foods for key seasonal launches • Liaising and managing collaborations, critical path and seasonal product across Footwear, Handbags & Accessories • Seasonal reviews and sign offs, presenting ranges and financial planning packs to Leadership team & Directors • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to grow awareness, market share, deliver seasonal events and land new ranges in store and online (Retail, VM, Press, Marketing, Ecommerce, Packaging, Stores, and International Team)

Working with Buyer to build ranges which include Jewellery, Watches, Jewellery Boxes and Gifting. Trading and reacting to sales in season working with Merchandising team. Own range responsibility • Internal project management, working across Home, Womenswear & Menswear • Negotiating costs and margins to reach and overachieve goal targets • Working with Designer to decide the seasonal trend and colour palettes for each phase • Critical path – Managing from development, supplier presentations, range building to orders being placed • Far East trips – supplier visits, new factory research & developing product with direct factories • Competitor Research • Inspirational shopping trips • Responsible for managing and developing 3 Buying Assistants • Building strong relationships with UK suppliers & direct factories • Ensures self and team remain on track to deliver results in changing environment

• Trading bestselling profiles in season and reacting to lessons learnt • Developing customer focussed Jewellery ranges • Managing Critical path and timelines • Negotiating costs to meet and exceed margin targets • Building relationships with suppliers, including Far East, India and European sourcing trips • Trend reactions, catwalk analysis and inspirational shopping trips • Managing and mentoring a team of 2 Product Developers • Working alongside Design Manager and Merchandising Director

Development of accessories range including women’s scarves, hats, gloves, handbags, small leather goods and sunglasses & children’s accessories. • Key skill in cost negotiation and hitting & overachieving target margins • Trading ranges and reacting to fast sellers • Developing & building product to fit customer profiles and presenting ranges to Buyer • Managing critical path and timelines • Trend research and catwalk analysis • Managing relationships with suppliers and Sourcing new factories • Supplier trips to Far East, India and Europe

Customers - Coast, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Gap, Virgin Vie, Harrods and Long Tall Sally. Developing handbags, belts, scarves, jewellery, occasion clothing & beachwear. • Constructing ranges for each customer profile and hitting target prices, negotiating costs • Managing critical path and timelines • Preparing and presenting final ranges to customers • Trend research and catwalk analysis • Supplier trips to Far East, India and Europe