Stories at
WE Fashion
"In my opinion, WE Fashion is very good at mentoring and training its employees. With a motivated attitude and your own commitment, you get the chance to grow quickly and achieve the best results."
Marije Brooijmans, Buyer
"In my opinion, WE Fashion is very good at mentoring and training its employees. With a motivated attitude and your own commitment, you get the chance to grow quickly and achieve the best results."
Marije Brooijmans, Buyer
Curious
"I’m a Buyer at WE Fashion," Marije Brooijmans starts. "I’m responsible for the development and sourcing of the woven items for our girls' collections. Besides that, I also work on all the kids' accessories." It's 2019 when Marije first joins WE®, at that time as a Buying Assistant. Although a position at the head office is new to her, the organisation is not. "I already knew WE Fashion as a student, since I’ve worked in one of the stores," she says. "Back then, I noticed that the lines between the stores and headquarters were short and lots was discussed and coordinated with each other. Something I was very curious about. So, when I got the chance to come in for a job interview at WE® after my graduation, I seized it with both hands."
A clear goal in mind
From Buying Assistant, Marije grows into the position of Junior Buyer and it doesn't stop there, as just a few months and a lot of experience later, she can officially call herself Buyer for the kids' collection. "Ever since my first day at the headquarters, I knew that the organisation and I had one common goal in mind. To further educate me internally and make great strides," she says. "The idea of also being able to grow on a personal level – with the right guidance, of course – gave me a lot of extra motivation and it still does to this day." According to Marije, cooperation and flexibility within her role and area of expertise are even considered a requirement. "I - alongside the designer – create the latest collections. It’s then up to me to place these with the right suppliers at the best price-quality ratio. This involves a lot of communication, but that is precisely what makes my job so fun and challenging."
Curious
"I’m a Buyer at WE Fashion," Marije Brooijmans starts. "I’m responsible for the development and sourcing of the woven items for our girls' collections. Besides that, I also work on all the kids' accessories." It's 2019 when Marije first joins WE®, at that time as a Buying Assistant. Although a position at the head office is new to her, the organisation is not. "I already knew WE Fashion as a student, since I’ve worked in one of the stores," she says. "Back then, I noticed that the lines between the stores and headquarters were short and lots was discussed and coordinated with each other. Something I was very curious about. So, when I got the chance to come in for a job interview at WE® after my graduation, I seized it with both hands."
A clear goal in mind
From Buying Assistant, Marije grows into the position of Junior Buyer and it doesn't stop there, as just a few months and a lot of experience later, she can officially call herself Buyer for the kids' collection. "Ever since my first day at the headquarters, I knew that the organisation and I had one common goal in mind. To further educate me internally and make great strides," she says. "The idea of also being able to grow on a personal level – with the right guidance, of course – gave me a lot of extra motivation and it still does to this day." According to Marije, cooperation and flexibility within her role and area of expertise are even considered a requirement. "I - alongside the designer – create the latest collections. It’s then up to me to place these with the right suppliers at the best price-quality ratio. This involves a lot of communication, but that is precisely what makes my job so fun and challenging."
"It's important to keep your eyes open, observe what's happening in the market and translate these outcomes - together with current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this communication and teamwork are key."
"It's important to keep your eyes open, observe what's happening in the market and translate these outcomes - together with current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this communication and teamwork are key."
The power of cooperation
"Within the kids department, there are smaller teams. Each consisting of a Buyer, Assistant Buyer, a Designer and a Merchandiser. With these four people, you try to get the best out of the collections every day." This involves lots of commercial and analytical skills, Marije acknowledges. "It is important to keep your eyes open, observe what is happening on the market and translate these outcomes - together with the current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this, communication and teamwork are key." A great motivator for Marije and characteristic aspect of the organisation, too. "It surprised me how friendly, helpful and sociable my immediate colleagues - but also other WE® staff at headquarters - are. To me, WE Fashion feels like one big, warm family that I am very happy to be a part of." In her opinion, the organisation's 'Better Together' culture even guides her in her way of working. "When I have questions or don't quite understand something, I know there are people I can turn to. As I see it, WE® is very good at guiding and training its employees. With a motivated attitude and your own commitment, you get the chance to grow quickly and achieve the best results."
The future
"Another thing that will never get boring about my job, are the many inspiring trips I get to make for work. Whenever we go on one of those, we get to visit our suppliers to get inspiration for future collections, look at samples and agree on prices," Marije says. "Getting creative on the spot is the most fun there is. Due to the corona virus, this has been on hold for a while, but by now, some fun and educational trips have been planned again. I hope to experience these many more times in the future." Another thing Marije has in mind for the years to come, is growing. "I definitely see myself still working at WE Fashion in five years' time. By then, I hope I'll be allowed to buy bigger collections and have even more responsibilities. I'm having a great time at our kids department, but I'm also open to exploring other divisions."
The power of cooperation
"Within the kids department, there are smaller teams. Each consisting of a Buyer, Assistant Buyer, a Designer and a Merchandiser. With these four people, you try to get the best out of the collections every day." This involves lots of commercial and analytical skills, Marije acknowledges. "It is important to keep your eyes open, observe what is happening on the market and translate these outcomes - together with the current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this, communication and teamwork are key." A great motivator for Marije and characteristic aspect of the organisation, too. "It surprised me how friendly, helpful and sociable my immediate colleagues - but also other WE® staff at headquarters - are. To me, WE Fashion feels like one big, warm family that I am very happy to be a part of." In her opinion, the organisation's 'Better Together' culture even guides her in her way of working. "When I have questions or don't quite understand something, I know there are people I can turn to. As I see it, WE® is very good at guiding and training its employees. With a motivated attitude and your own commitment, you get the chance to grow quickly and achieve the best results."
The future
"Another thing that will never get boring about my job, are the many inspiring trips I get to make for work. Whenever we go on one of those, we get to visit our suppliers to get inspiration for future collections, look at samples and agree on prices," Marije says. "Getting creative on the spot is the most fun there is. Due to the corona virus, this has been on hold for a while, but by now, some fun and educational trips have been planned again. I hope to experience these many more times in the future." Another thing Marije has in mind for the years to come, is growing. "I definitely see myself still working at WE Fashion in five years' time. By then, I hope I'll be allowed to buy bigger collections and have even more responsibilities. I'm having a great time at our kids department, but I'm also open to exploring other divisions."
TRENDING STORIES
Meet Marije, Buyer
Marije has been working at WE Fashion for three years and knows all the ins and outs of buying: "It's important to keep your eyes open, observe what's happening in the market and translate these outcomes - together with current sales results - into a new and even better collection. In all this communication and teamwork are key."
Meet Shannon, Merchandiser
Shannon has completely settled in at WE®: “I’ve been promoted several times. I believe that anything is possible, as long as you are eager to learn.”
Meet Patrick, European Marketing Director
Patrick is a big believer in teamwork and very proud of his team: "I love working with them to develop an idea, starting with little more than a piece of paper and a pencil."
WE WOULD LIKE
TO KEEP IN TOUCH
This website uses cookies
We, and third parties, use cookies on our website. We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly, to store your preferences, to gain insight into visitor behavior, but also for marketing and social media purposes (showing personalized advertisements). By clicking 'Accept', you agree to the use of all cookies. In our Cookie Statement. you can read more about the cookies we use and save or change your preferences. By clicking 'Refuse' you only agree to the use of functional cookies.