The Trimmings Buyer is responsible for planning and buying source trim to meet production needs. The trimmings buyer should negotiate and purchase the materials as well as prepare test samples before they reach production.
The trimmings buyer should investigate multiple vendors across whatever trim products are needed to create the sample at hand. They should then seek out the best value, achieving the best possible quality for the most efficient price. They should then purchase the items, and source them to the appropriate line in the production process accordingly. If the product is not in line with what was agreed upon, it is their responsibility to renegotiate. Finally, they should test the materials by compiling a sample product.
Trimmings buyers typically report to product development manager. They sometimes have a junior associate, and work in conjunction with other sourcing associates, multiple vendors, and product specialists.
To be a successful trimmings buyer you should be an expert not only in the product that you’re looking to buy, but also in how these pieces will work together. You should be an assertive communicator, and know how to negotiate with vendors, and correct dissatisfaction with a material before it reaches the production line. You should be independent, a great multi-tasker, and thrive in fast pace environments.
If you’re considering applying to be a trimmings buyer, your resume should show that you are able to handle many lines of communication at once. It should also show that you understand how each line of material fits into the overall vision. Finally, it should show that you’re a great communicator, and can negotiate in pressure situations and ever-changing environments.
Resume Builder Power Words: research, communication, negotiation, multi-task, detail-oriented, fast-pace, independent, big picture thinking.