If you're sensitive to fashion, accessories, clothing, haute couture and the search for new trends, then the job of fashion buyer/sourceur is for you. This professional is an indispensable strategic player in the textile industry. Their job is to find the best products, at the best price, in line with a purchasing strategy.

What skills and qualities are required? What training is recommended? What are the missions of the trend hunter? Find out more about the fashion buyer/sourceur profession!

The fashion and luxury sector is not in crisis. On the contrary, it is constantly evolving and encompasses a wide variety of professions.

Among them is the job of fashion buyer/source, prized by new talents who handle to perfection the multiplicity of communication media and the proliferation of new trends. Curious and passionate, these buyers scour the globe for striking and innovative products in the textile and luxury sectors. They are able to preview the brands, materials and accessories that will be all the rage at the next Fashion Week.

The buyer occupies a strategic and crucial position in fashion companies.

Here are the various missions of the fashion buyer:

• Monitor fashion and luxury trends The buyer keeps a close eye on developments in the fashion and luxury market, both in France and internationally, to determine which products will be successful.

• Select products Purchasing: based on market analysis and the company's business objectives, the buyer draws up purchasing plans and selects the products to be purchased. These purchases must be profitable and in line with the employer's procurement strategy.

• Negotiating with suppliers Purchasing: the buyer is careful to maintain his relationship with brands. During negotiations, he obtains the best prices and acquires quality products. They discuss delivery terms, prices and lead times.

• Managing inventory Purchasing: the buyer's aim is to avoid stock-outs or overstocking problems by adjusting product orders. He regularly places orders and handles the purchase of new products. They may also ask for products to be manufactured in order to build up a collection.

• Getting around The sourcer is often on the move, meeting with business partners, discovering new designers and seeking out new sources of supply. To do this, he surveys trade fairs and draws up invitations to tender.

To become an international buyer/sourceur, being passionate about fashion is a good start, but it's not enough. Here are the essential qualities you need to become a buyer:

• be adventurous Fashion is a vast jungle where the buyer is the hunter. Curious, lively and passionate, they crave adventure. Mobile, the buyer must be ready to jump on a plane at any moment to unearth new trends on the international scene, for several days or even weeks at a time.

• strong interpersonal skills New brands and products in the textile industry can be difficult to identify and approach. Buyers have to get in touch with numerous personalities and suppliers to make their project a reality.

• be a negotiator The job of fashion buyer requires a strong temperament to master the art of negotiation. Once the rare pearl has been found, the sourcer enters a long phase of negotiation with the various suppliers and manufacturers.

• be creative The fashion and apparel buyer must be able to propose innovative ideas for the choice of garments or accessories. This enables them to work effectively with creative teams to design exclusive products.

• managing stress The future of a collection and its sale often depend on the buyer. If a negotiation on fabric or materials fails, the competition takes over. It's important to keep a cool head when concluding sales proposals.

Fashion buyers have a wide range of skills acquired through training and experience in the corporate world.

• Good knowledge of the fashion and luxury industries.
• Master the technical language of the textile sector.
• In-depth knowledge of your brand's products, to find the most suitable materials that meet the technical criteria defined in advance.
• Several foreign languages: speak English and another language to be able to communicate with partners or a company working internationally.
• Anticipating future trends.
• Master the means of manufacturing and producing different materials.
• Master Excel.

To become a buyer in the fashion and textile sector, you need to follow a professional training course after the BAC. Bachelor of Fashion Luxury and Digital Marketing is ideal for acquiring all the skills needed to become an international buyer.

Each year, students take part in an internship at a major fashion or luxury house. Thanks to its many partners, ISAL Paris offers internships in China, to enrich its network, its foreign language skills and its ability to negotiate with other cultures. This training enables you to build up a real professional portfolio, an essential tool for the purchasing profession.

During these three years of study, language courses adapted to the fashion market are offered in English, Italian or Chinese. Apprentices learn the fundamentals of marketing and communications, as well as the fashion business. They are also introduced to business management and fashion brand management.

Upon graduation, students can become collection managers, purchasing managers or international buyers.

ISAL Paris puts the spotlight on its Mastères and MBA programs.

Visit Master of Fashion Management is, for example, an essential training course for this creative job.

Over the course of 2 consecutive years, a number of concepts are covered: team management, luxury product and brand policy, sourcing, purchasing and production follow-up, commercial management of a collection plan, luxury business English...

Once their training has been validated, students enter the world of work.

An entry-level buyer can earn the equivalent of €2,000 gross per month. A senior buyer can earn up to €6,000 gross per month. Salaries vary according to employer, specialization and experience.